This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7312012.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
MP expense claims being released MPs given expenses release delay
(about 8 hours later)
Detailed expenses of 14 prominent MPs and former MPs, including the prime minister, David Cameron and Tony Blair, are expected to be published later. Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Tony Blair and 11 other prominent MPs and ex-MPs have been given two days to argue against their expenses being published.
The publication of the expenses of all MPs by the end of 2008 is now expected.
The Commons has spent years fighting calls to account for public money spent on expenses by MPs.The Commons has spent years fighting calls to account for public money spent on expenses by MPs.
But an all-party committee has been advised there is no legal basis for an appeal against a ruling by a Freedom of Information tribunal on the expenses. But the Commons authorities have been advised there is no legal basis for an appeal against a ruling by a Freedom of Information tribunal on the expenses.
The MPs have until 4pm on Thursday to make their case against publication.
Soft furnishingsSoft furnishings
The tribunal ordered the publication of a detailed breakdown of what the 14 MPs and former MPs claimed in order to fund and furnish a second home so that they could work at Westminster and in their constituencies. The tribunal ordered the publication of a detailed breakdown of what the 14 MPs and former MPs claimed over three years.
The Commons committee, chaired by the speaker, is expected to publish the expenses later. The Commons authorities had been expected to publish the expenses as early as Tuesday.
They hope that this belated conversion to openness will, eventually, limit the stream of stories on what MPs spend on themselves Nick RobinsonBBC political editor But that has now been put back until Thursday.
As a result, the public will learn what Gordon Brown, his predecessor and former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott spent on everything from their mortgage to soft furnishings. If the details are published the public will be able to see what MPs like the PM and former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott spent on everything from their mortgage to soft furnishings on their second home in London.
And these figures can be compared with the amounts spent and the items chosen by Conservative leader Mr Cameron, Shadow Chancellor George Osborne, shadow foreign secretary William Hague and former Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell. The figures for Conservative leader Mr Cameron, shadow chancellor George Osborne, shadow foreign secretary William Hague and former Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell are also included in the case.
BBC Political Editor Nick Robinson said: "Aware that the decision will open the floodgates to demands for more information, the speaker's committee will soon confirm that they are drawing up plans to publish the detailed expenses of every MP paid over the past three years.
"Along with reforms to the system of expenses, they hope that this belated conversion to openness will, eventually, limit the stream of stories on what MPs spend on themselves and return the focus to what they do for everyone else."
'John Lewis list''John Lewis list'
Earlier this month it emerged that MPs are allowed to claim expenses of up to £10,000 for a new kitchen, £2,000 for furniture and £750 for a TV or stereo for their second homes. Earlier this month it emerged that MPs were allowed to claim expenses of up to £10,000 for a new kitchen, £2,000 for furniture and £750 for a TV or stereo for their second homes.
And other claims allowable include £6,335 for a new bathroom, £299.99 for air conditioning units, £300 per rug, £50 for a shredder and £1,000 for a bed.And other claims allowable include £6,335 for a new bathroom, £299.99 for air conditioning units, £300 per rug, £50 for a shredder and £1,000 for a bed.
The figures are in the so-called "John Lewis list" used by Commons officials to list maximum amounts for items.The figures are in the so-called "John Lewis list" used by Commons officials to list maximum amounts for items.
The existence of the list - based on prices at the John Lewis store "because it was highly rated by Which magazine" - was revealed during the tribunal.The existence of the list - based on prices at the John Lewis store "because it was highly rated by Which magazine" - was revealed during the tribunal.