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| MPs face tougher receipts rules | MPs face tougher receipts rules |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The amount of expenses MPs can claim without a receipt is to be cut from £250 to £25 from 1 April. | |
| The Commons Members Estimates Committee ruled out demanding proof over smaller claims, as MPs often use cash on items "for which receipts are not given". | The Commons Members Estimates Committee ruled out demanding proof over smaller claims, as MPs often use cash on items "for which receipts are not given". |
| It also said the amount of petty cash MPs can use for office expenses would be reduced from £250 to £50 per month. | It also said the amount of petty cash MPs can use for office expenses would be reduced from £250 to £50 per month. |
| The committee promised the new limits would be "underpinned by a more robust regime for audit". | The committee promised the new limits would be "underpinned by a more robust regime for audit". |
| Figures | Figures |
| The review, set up and chaired by Commons Speaker Michael Martin, said it had considered three figures when reducing the limit on expenses without a receipt: £100, £50 and £25. | The review, set up and chaired by Commons Speaker Michael Martin, said it had considered three figures when reducing the limit on expenses without a receipt: £100, £50 and £25. |
| In its interim report, it said: "We have heard from Members from all sides of the House that they already submit receipts with their claims. | In its interim report, it said: "We have heard from Members from all sides of the House that they already submit receipts with their claims. |
| We have considered whether the threshold should be zero but ruled it out for practical reasons Commons Members Estimate Committee Guide to MPs' expenses | We have considered whether the threshold should be zero but ruled it out for practical reasons Commons Members Estimate Committee Guide to MPs' expenses |
| "Members have also spoken of their experience in previous jobs outside the House which suggest that in other occupations all receipts would be submitted with claims or certainly for all claims over £25." | "Members have also spoken of their experience in previous jobs outside the House which suggest that in other occupations all receipts would be submitted with claims or certainly for all claims over £25." |
| It added: "We have considered whether the threshold should be zero but ruled it out for practical reasons. | It added: "We have considered whether the threshold should be zero but ruled it out for practical reasons. |
| "Members working both in the constituency and at the House and travelling between the two do incur small costs which are normally paid in cash and for which receipts are not given." | "Members working both in the constituency and at the House and travelling between the two do incur small costs which are normally paid in cash and for which receipts are not given." |
| The committee said it was "determined to establish audit controls which command public confidence". | The committee said it was "determined to establish audit controls which command public confidence". |
| Some MPs had suggested a system of random spot-checks "for checking the money has been spent on the purpose intended", it added. | Some MPs had suggested a system of random spot-checks "for checking the money has been spent on the purpose intended", it added. |
| The committee will hold discussions with the National Audit Office, accountancy firms, HM Revenue & Customs and the Audit Commission "to establish what is the most practical and effective arrangement". | The committee will hold discussions with the National Audit Office, accountancy firms, HM Revenue & Customs and the Audit Commission "to establish what is the most practical and effective arrangement". |
| A full report on reforming MPs' expenses is expected by the summer, with updates at the end of this month and in May. | A full report on reforming MPs' expenses is expected by the summer, with updates at the end of this month and in May. |