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MPs 'should not employ children' Bid to ban MPs employing children
(about 21 hours later)
MPs should not be able to employ their children using taxpayers' money, the government has said. Proposals to stop MPs from employing their children using taxpayers' money will not apply to those who are already employed, officials have confirmed.
It follows anger over abuses of MPs' allowances and the publicly funded jobs taken by some of their relatives. Harriet Harman's office has proposed stopping MPs' employing their offspring as researchers and assistants, but has said it would not be retrospective.
But MPs would be able to continue employing spouses and partners, under Commons leader Harriet Harman's plans. It would also not stop MPs from employing their spouses or partners.
The Tories said many of the issues would have been addressed already, if 33 ministers had not voted against changes to the current system in July. A consultation paper said the practice of MPs employing children was damaging to the reputation of the Commons.
A consultation paper issued by Ms Harman's office said the employment of daughters and sons by MPs was damaging to the reputation of the House of Commons. The paper, issued by Commons leader Ms Harman's office, flagged up the furore over Tory MP Derek Conway, who paid his son more than £40,000 out of his staffing allowance for work as a parliamentary researcher, despite him being a full-time student in Newcastle.
'Appropriate candidate' Recent incidents involving the employment by MPs of their children demonstrate clearly the negative impact this has on public confidence in members Consultation paper
It also flagged up the furore over Tory MP Derek Conway, who paid his son more than £40,000 out of his staffing allowance for work as a parliamentary researcher, despite him being a full-time student in Newcastle.
Mr Conway was suspended from Parliament for 10 days and was ordered to repay £13,161. He also lost the Conservative whip.Mr Conway was suspended from Parliament for 10 days and was ordered to repay £13,161. He also lost the Conservative whip.
The paper warned: "Whilst spouses may have the skills, experience or qualifications to make them the most appropriate candidate for work in their partners' parliamentary or constituency office, this is less likely to apply to MPs' children whether under 18 or young adults.The paper warned: "Whilst spouses may have the skills, experience or qualifications to make them the most appropriate candidate for work in their partners' parliamentary or constituency office, this is less likely to apply to MPs' children whether under 18 or young adults.
We will engage with the government on this consultation but have serious doubts about its intentions Theresa MayConservatives
"Furthermore, recent incidents involving the employment by MPs of their children demonstrate clearly the negative impact this has on public confidence in members.""Furthermore, recent incidents involving the employment by MPs of their children demonstrate clearly the negative impact this has on public confidence in members."
If the reform is adopted, it would affect at least 22 MPs who employ their children as researchers, secretaries and assistants - there may be more as it only become compulsory to register them from this month. Expenses regime
Some MPs have given jobs to more than one of their children - at least 14 daughters, nine sons, one daughter-in-law and one son-in-law are employed by MPs. At least 22 MPs employ their children and there may be more as it only become compulsory to register them from this month.
Office manager Some have given jobs to more than one of their children - DUP MPs Peter and Iris Robinson - who are married - employ two sons, a daughter and a daughter-in-law between them.
Children's Minister Beverley Hughes employs her daughter as her part-time office manager while Sir George Young, Tory chair of the Standards and Privileges committee, employs his daughter as office manager.
DUP MPs Peter and Iris Robinson - who are married - employ two sons, a daughter and a daughter-in-law between them.
MPs must have the resources to do their work effectively, and they must command the confidence, respect and trust of the public. Harriet HarmanCommons leader
MPs now have a staffing allowance worth £10,205 a year to pay for assistants.MPs now have a staffing allowance worth £10,205 a year to pay for assistants.
From October, MPs will be required for the first time to provide the Commons with details of their employees' job descriptions and contracts. MPs must have the resources to do their work effectively, and they must command the confidence, respect and trust of the public. Harriet HarmanCommons leader
From October, MPs will have to provide the Commons with details of their employees' job descriptions and contracts.
The proposal comes as Ms Harman launched a consultation on tighter controls of the £93m parliamentary expenses regime.The proposal comes as Ms Harman launched a consultation on tighter controls of the £93m parliamentary expenses regime.
John Lewis list It follows a review of MPs' allowances which recommended abolishing the so-called "John Lewis list", in which they can claim for household items and refurbishment of their second homes, along with an external audit of their claims.
It follows a review of their allowances which recommended the so-called "John Lewis list", in which MPs can claim for household items and refurbishment of their second homes, be abolished and claims checked by external auditors.
Those recommendations were rejected by MPs by a majority of 28, 33 government ministers had voted against them, and Prime Minister Gordon Brown was not at the vote.
Two weeks later MPs backed plans to change the John Lewis list, by restricting annual claims to £2,400 - under pressure from the government and party leaders.
'Gone AWOL''Gone AWOL'
The Conservatives said many of the issues now in the consultation paper would have been addressed, if MPs had voted through the original recommendations in July. Those recommendations were rejected by MPs by a majority of 28 - 33 government ministers had voted against them, and Prime Minister Gordon Brown was not at the vote.
Shadow Leader of the House of the Commons Theresa May said Mr Brown and the government had "repeatedly voted against reform or gone AWOL when key decisions have had to be made". Two weeks later MPs backed plans to change the John Lewis list, by restricting annual claims to £2,400 - under pressure from the government and party leaders.
She said: "We will engage with the government on this consultation but have serious doubts about its intentions." The Conservatives said many of the issues now in the consultation paper would have been addressed if MPs had voted through the original recommendations in July.
Ms Harman said the government was consulting with MPs about the need for receipts to be produced for all claims for reimbursement from the public purse. Shadow Commons leader Theresa May said Mr Brown and the government had "repeatedly voted against reform or gone AWOL when key decisions have had to be made".
"MPs play a vital role in our democracy - representing their constituents, legislating and scrutinising the executive," she said. But Ms Harman said: "MPs play a vital role in our democracy - representing their constituents, legislating and scrutinising the executive.
"To do this, they must have the resources to do their work effectively, and they must command the confidence, respect and trust of the public."To do this, they must have the resources to do their work effectively, and they must command the confidence, respect and trust of the public.
"We need arrangements which achieve both these aims.""We need arrangements which achieve both these aims."