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All MPs' claims 'to be published' All MPs' claims may be published
(about 1 hour later)
Detailed expenses claims of all MPs dating back to 2004 look set to be published, the BBC has learned.Detailed expenses claims of all MPs dating back to 2004 look set to be published, the BBC has learned.
Most MPs can claim up to £23,000 a year towards the cost of a second home using the additional costs allowance (ACA).Most MPs can claim up to £23,000 a year towards the cost of a second home using the additional costs allowance (ACA).
The Commons has been ordered to publish details of 14 MPs' claims under Freedom of Information laws. Sources say all claims may be published by December.The Commons has been ordered to publish details of 14 MPs' claims under Freedom of Information laws. Sources say all claims may be published by December.
Earlier it published a list of maximum prices allowed per item under the ACA, including £10,000 for a new kitchen.Earlier it published a list of maximum prices allowed per item under the ACA, including £10,000 for a new kitchen.
Last month Commons authorities lost a Freedom of Information case and were told to publish details of claims under the ACA by 14 prominent MPs, including Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Sir Menzies Campbell. The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson said its publication had been the latest embarrassment in the continuing row over MPs' expenses and many MPs had told him they were being made to feel like "crooks".
Grounds for appeal Second homes
MPs who represent a constituency outside central London can each claim up to £23,000 a year towards the cost of running their second homes. He said the Commons Members Estimate Committee, which is reviewing the expenses system, was "coming to the view" that every MP's expenses for the past three years should be published - and was set to make that recommendation to MPs.
Their total claims for the year are already published, but the Commons had been resisting publishing details of exactly what was spent, arguing it could intrude on MPs' privacy. But in return MPs are likely to demand higher salaries or a £160-a-day allowance, he added.
ALLOWABLE CLAIMS New kitchen: £10,000New bathroom: £6,335Washing machine: £350Flooring: £35 per square metre MPs' £10,000 kitchens on expensesIn full: 'John Lewis list'ALLOWABLE CLAIMS New kitchen: £10,000New bathroom: £6,335Washing machine: £350Flooring: £35 per square metre MPs' £10,000 kitchens on expensesIn full: 'John Lewis list'
But it has been ordered to produce a detailed breakdown, including receipts and bills where they exist, for 14 MPs. MPs who represent a constituency outside central London can each claim up to £23,000 a year towards the cost of running their second homes.
The BBC has learned that Commons authorities have been advised there are no legal grounds to appeal against the information tribunal's decision. Total figures claimed per year are already published, but Commons authorities had resisted giving detailed breakdowns, arguing it could intrude on MPs' privacy.
It is likely the Commons authorities will be flooded with Freedom of Information requests for details of other MPs' claims and the BBC has learned that senior MPs from all sides believe it would be better to publish all claims by the end of the year. But last month it lost a Freedom of Information case and was told to publish details of claims by 14 prominent MPs, including Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Sir Menzies Campbell, including receipts and bills where they exist.
'John Lewis list''John Lewis list'
The Commons Members Estimate Committee, which is conducting its own review of MPs' expenses, looks set to recommend that claims made by all MPs over the last three years be published. The BBC has learned that Commons authorities have been advised there are no legal grounds to appeal against the information tribunal's decision.
It is likely they will be flooded with Freedom of Information requests for details of other MPs' claims and it is understood that senior MPs from all sides believe it would be better to publish all claims by the end of the year.
MPs can claim ACA to cover the costs of staying overnight away from their main home, including rent, hotel bills and mortgage interest payments.MPs can claim ACA to cover the costs of staying overnight away from their main home, including rent, hotel bills and mortgage interest payments.
We accept the outrage of the public, we accept their concern Stuart BellCommons Members Estimate Committee Of course we accept the outrage, we accept the loss of public trust and public confidence Stuart BellCommons Members Estimate Committee
They can also claim for items like televisions, beds, carpets and refurbishment of their properties, as well as submitting claims of up to £400 a month for food. They can also claim for items like televisions, beds and refurbishment of their properties, as well as up to £400 a month for food.
A previous rule that they could claim up to £250 per item without receipts is to be scaled down to £25 from 1 April, as part of the Members Estimate Committee's review.
Earlier the so-called "John Lewis list", used by Commons clerks as a guide to maximum prices MPs can claim per item, was published after another Freedom of Information request.Earlier the so-called "John Lewis list", used by Commons clerks as a guide to maximum prices MPs can claim per item, was published after another Freedom of Information request.
It showed MPs were allowed to claim up to £10,000 to install a new kitchen, up to £6,335 for a new bathroom and £750 for a television or stereo.It showed MPs were allowed to claim up to £10,000 to install a new kitchen, up to £6,335 for a new bathroom and £750 for a television or stereo.
Asked about the list earlier, Labour MP Stuart Bell, who sits on the Commons Members Estimate Committee, told the BBC: "We accept the outrage of the public, we accept their concern. 'Complete revamp'
"That's why the speaker has called for a root and branch reform of all these expenses in such a way that MPs can live in their second home outside of their constituency and they can meet the public criteria of transparency of straight forward dealing. The Commons Members Estimate Committee, chaired by Speaker Michael Martin, began a review of the whole expenses system 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.
"And we're going to do that, that's exactly what we're going to do" Labour MP Sir Stuart Bell, who sits on the committee, told the BBC: "Of course we accept the outrage, we accept the loss of public trust and public confidence. Our job as the Speaker's Committee is to get that back and that's what we're going to do."
Asked about the possibility of publishing all expenses he said: "The Speaker's Commission rules nothing in and nothing out".
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg told the BBC: "Clearly the way in which MPs' expenses have been organised, it's accumulated in an ad hoc fashion over many years - it needs a complete revamp.
"We need to start again and build a system that is transparent, that makes sense and that re-establishes public confidence in the work that MPs do on their behalf."