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MPs' expenses 'must be published' MPs' expenses 'must be published'
(30 minutes later)
The House of Commons has been ordered to provide a more detailed breakdown of MPs' expenses, following a three-year Freedom of Information battle.The House of Commons has been ordered to provide a more detailed breakdown of MPs' expenses, following a three-year Freedom of Information battle.
Claims made under the Additional Costs Allowance (ACA) must be published in detail, the Information Tribunal ruled. The current Additional Costs Allowance (ACA) system is "deeply unsatisfactory" the Information Tribunal ruled.
MPs can claim up to £23,000 a year each to cover the cost of staying away from home, including food and rent payments.MPs can claim up to £23,000 a year each to cover the cost of staying away from home, including food and rent payments.
Commons resources boss Andrew Walker had argued publishing more details could intrude on MPs' private lives.Commons resources boss Andrew Walker had argued publishing more details could intrude on MPs' private lives.
But the Tribunal ruled in favour of Freedom of Information campaign Heather Brooke and two journalists - and ordered the Commons to release the information within 28 days. But the Tribunal ruled in favour of Freedom of Information campaigner Heather Brooke and two journalists - and ordered the Commons to release the information on 14 MPs - including Tony Blair, David Cameron and Gordon Brown - within 28 days.
'Lack of clarity''Lack of clarity'
But it is thought the same principle will apply to requests relating to other MPs' claims.
The tribunal heard that MPs claim ACA to cover the costs of staying overnight away from their main home.
In our judgment these features, coupled with the very limited nature of the checks, constitute a recipe for confusion, inconsistency and the risk of misuse Tribunal ruling Guide to MPs' allowancesJohn Lewis list 'kept from MPs'
Each MP can claim about £23,000 a year and can submit claims of up to £250 without a receipt and up to £400 a month for food.
The tribunal noted that the guidance available to MPs on what they can claim is "incomplete", that MPs are not trusted to have access to the list of acceptable costs "lest the maximum allowable prices become the going rate" and there are no "additional" checks on what MPs claim.The tribunal noted that the guidance available to MPs on what they can claim is "incomplete", that MPs are not trusted to have access to the list of acceptable costs "lest the maximum allowable prices become the going rate" and there are no "additional" checks on what MPs claim.
"If an MP claims the weekly shopping bill, his department assumes that, because it is claimed, it is additional expenditure necessarily incurred for Parliamentary duties," it said.
In its ruling, the tribunal said: "The laxity of and lack of clarity in the rules for ACA is redolent of a culture very different from that which exists in the commercial sphere or in most other public sector organisations today."In its ruling, the tribunal said: "The laxity of and lack of clarity in the rules for ACA is redolent of a culture very different from that which exists in the commercial sphere or in most other public sector organisations today."
Stalker threat Transparency 'shortfall'
But it said some details should not be published, including "sensitive personal data" such as MPs' health matters, MPs' bank, loan and credit card statements, individual numbers on itemised phone bills and details of contractors who had regular access to MPs' homes. It said that historically MPs were allowed to self-certify, but even if that was acceptable in "modern conditions" it was inadequate as MPs do not have access to a "coherent and comprehensive statement of their entitlements".
It added: "In our judgment these features, coupled with the very limited nature of the checks, constitute a recipe for confusion, inconsistency and the risk of misuse."
It said the current system was "deeply unsatisfactory" and suffered an "acute" shortfall in transparency and accountability.
All honest and hard-working MPs will welcome this opportunity to prove their openness to the electorate Heather BrookeCampaigner MPs' expenses review speeded up
But the tribunal ruled that some details should not be published, including "sensitive personal data" such as MPs' health matters, MPs' bank, loan and credit card statements, individual numbers on itemised phone bills and details of contractors who had regular access to MPs' homes.
Security details will also be kept private, as will addresses of MPs who have a good reason - for example a known stalker, terrorist or "other criminal threat".Security details will also be kept private, as will addresses of MPs who have a good reason - for example a known stalker, terrorist or "other criminal threat".
Ms Brooke, who has fought to get the details published, said: “This ruling will wrest control from the old boys' club and put it back where it belongs – with the constituents."
"All honest and hard-working MPs will welcome this opportunity to prove their openness to the electorate."
The ruling came on the same day that the Commons Members Estimate Committee said its own review of MPs' expenses will be completed several months earlier than planned - by July.The ruling came on the same day that the Commons Members Estimate Committee said its own review of MPs' expenses will be completed several months earlier than planned - by July.
The tribunal heard appeals by both the Commons authorities and campaigners against the Information Commissioner's ruling on the cases of 14 MPs - that more details should be published under broad headlines. That was set up following revelations that Tory MP Derek Conway had made payments worth £40,000 to his son for work as a parliamentary researcher while he was a student.
The Commons argued it went too far while the three campaigners said it did not go far enough and claims should be submitted with receipts. The tribunal said it was not surprised, from what it had seen, that the prime minister wanted a "root-and-branch review".
In a ruling on Tuesday evening, the Tribunal dismissed the Commons' appeal and allowed the campaigners' appeal.