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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| MSPs' home allowance 'should end' | MSPs' home allowance 'should end' |
| (about 17 hours later) | |
| Taxpayers should no longer help MSPs pay for second homes they buy in the capital, an independent review said. | Taxpayers should no longer help MSPs pay for second homes they buy in the capital, an independent review said. |
| The probe into Holyrood allowances said the practice where some MSPs can claim interest on the mortgages should end. | The probe into Holyrood allowances said the practice where some MSPs can claim interest on the mortgages should end. |
| The review, headed by Dundee University principal Sir Alan Langlands, made 68 recommendations on changes to the current allowances scheme. | |
| MSPs, the report stated, should also have to declare their employment of close family members on a register. | MSPs, the report stated, should also have to declare their employment of close family members on a register. |
| And they should not be allowed to lease accommodation from close relatives, concluded the probe, which was set up last summer. | And they should not be allowed to lease accommodation from close relatives, concluded the probe, which was set up last summer. |
| Scottish Parliament presiding officer Alex Fergusson said greater public confidence in a new scheme was essential. | Scottish Parliament presiding officer Alex Fergusson said greater public confidence in a new scheme was essential. |
| READ THE REPORT Independent review of parliamentary allowances [28KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here | READ THE REPORT Independent review of parliamentary allowances [28KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here |
| The controversial £11,400-a-year Edinburgh accommodation allowance for MSPs in outlying constituencies also pays for costs including factoring charges and council tax. | The controversial £11,400-a-year Edinburgh accommodation allowance for MSPs in outlying constituencies also pays for costs including factoring charges and council tax. |
| Critics said the payment of mortgage interest helped MSPs buy homes in the booming Edinburgh property market with the help of the taxpayer and sell them on at a personal profit. | Critics said the payment of mortgage interest helped MSPs buy homes in the booming Edinburgh property market with the help of the taxpayer and sell them on at a personal profit. |
| However, some members who qualify have argued they needed a more permanent base while away from home during the parliamentary week. | However, some members who qualify have argued they needed a more permanent base while away from home during the parliamentary week. |
| Sir Alan's report said criticism of the existing system had been "widespread and persistent", adding: "In the circumstances, we believe that the status quo is not an option in any new scheme, especially if the new scheme is to command the confidence of the public." | Sir Alan's report said criticism of the existing system had been "widespread and persistent", adding: "In the circumstances, we believe that the status quo is not an option in any new scheme, especially if the new scheme is to command the confidence of the public." |
| 'Fails test' | 'Fails test' |
| The interest payments, the review suggested, should be phased out and scrapped at the end of the current parliament, in 2011. | The interest payments, the review suggested, should be phased out and scrapped at the end of the current parliament, in 2011. |
| Alternatives, such as Holyrood bosses clawing back profits on the sale of a property, or buying homes and leasing them out to MSPs have been rejected on practical grounds. | Alternatives, such as Holyrood bosses clawing back profits on the sale of a property, or buying homes and leasing them out to MSPs have been rejected on practical grounds. |
| Sir Alan told a press conference at the Scottish Parliament the decision to recommend the abolition of mortgage interest payments was "pretty finely balanced". | Sir Alan told a press conference at the Scottish Parliament the decision to recommend the abolition of mortgage interest payments was "pretty finely balanced". |
| But he concluded: "We take the view that a scheme which assists members to purchase a property which could result in a substantial profit and personal gain at the point of sale fails the test of selflessness." | But he concluded: "We take the view that a scheme which assists members to purchase a property which could result in a substantial profit and personal gain at the point of sale fails the test of selflessness." |
| Meanwhile, the review recommended the overnight expenses rate in relation to UK parliamentary duties be set at £128 and £150 for London. | Meanwhile, the review recommended the overnight expenses rate in relation to UK parliamentary duties be set at £128 and £150 for London. |
| MSPs' car mileage rates, it added, should be cut from 49.3p a mile to 40p, while recommendations to put MSPs' staff onto new pay scales could cost an extra £1.25m a year. | MSPs' car mileage rates, it added, should be cut from 49.3p a mile to 40p, while recommendations to put MSPs' staff onto new pay scales could cost an extra £1.25m a year. |
| The review concluded there should be a maximum of £62,000 for staff for constituency MSPs and £45,000 for list MSPs, reflecting what it described as different casework loads for the two types. | The review concluded there should be a maximum of £62,000 for staff for constituency MSPs and £45,000 for list MSPs, reflecting what it described as different casework loads for the two types. |