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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| AM pay and expenses under review | AM pay and expenses under review |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A panel has been unveiled to undertake a major review of Welsh assembly members' future pay and expenses. | A panel has been unveiled to undertake a major review of Welsh assembly members' future pay and expenses. |
| It follows a controversial 8.3% pay rise in March. | It follows a controversial 8.3% pay rise in March. |
| One allowance the five-member panel will examine entitles AMs from outside Cardiff to claim up to £13,000 a year towards rent, mortgage interest and furniture for second homes. | One allowance the five-member panel will examine entitles AMs from outside Cardiff to claim up to £13,000 a year towards rent, mortgage interest and furniture for second homes. |
| A campaign group called for the system to be "100% transparent" and for all claims and receipts to be published. | A campaign group called for the system to be "100% transparent" and for all claims and receipts to be published. |
| The panel was appointed by the cross-party Assembly Commission and will be chaired by Sir Roger Jones, the pro-chancellor of Swansea University. | The panel was appointed by the cross-party Assembly Commission and will be chaired by Sir Roger Jones, the pro-chancellor of Swansea University. |
| It was established following a proposal from the independent pay review body, which recommended the latest pay rise. | It was established following a proposal from the independent pay review body, which recommended the latest pay rise. |
| HAVE YOUR SAYThe only expenses that should be claimable are for travel & subsistence and a flat rate for "office" costs. Second home expenses - NO WAYSuzanne Phillips, Rhondda Cynon Taff | |
| In March that group said AMs' pay should be brought more into line with that of MPs to reflect the assembly's new law making responsibilities. | In March that group said AMs' pay should be brought more into line with that of MPs to reflect the assembly's new law making responsibilities. |
| The near £4,000 increase brought the salary of a backbench AM to more than £50,000 a year. | The near £4,000 increase brought the salary of a backbench AM to more than £50,000 a year. |
| Currently, members may claim an allowance of up to £15,000 to run their office. | Currently, members may claim an allowance of up to £15,000 to run their office. |
| Another allowance, up to £13,000, is available to help AMs who live away from the Cardiff area to stay overnight or find a second home in the capital. | Another allowance, up to £13,000, is available to help AMs who live away from the Cardiff area to stay overnight or find a second home in the capital. |
| The panel will also examine payments for support staff, IT and constituency accommodation | The panel will also examine payments for support staff, IT and constituency accommodation |
| Sir Roger said: "The National Assembly for Wales has at its core a commitment to transparent and accessible democracy." | Sir Roger said: "The National Assembly for Wales has at its core a commitment to transparent and accessible democracy." |
| "I am proud to chair a panel that will report to the Assembly Commission on the best way of providing support to Assembly Members that is appropriate for Wales, and that will help underpin future good governance and effective public service in Wales." | "I am proud to chair a panel that will report to the Assembly Commission on the best way of providing support to Assembly Members that is appropriate for Wales, and that will help underpin future good governance and effective public service in Wales." |
| But the campaign group, the Taxpayers' Alliance, said that AMs should show they understand the problems faced by constituents and turn down any increases. | But the campaign group, the Taxpayers' Alliance, said that AMs should show they understand the problems faced by constituents and turn down any increases. |
| REVIEW GROUP PANEL Sir Roger Jones, Swansea University pro-chancellorDafydd Wigley, former Plaid leaderNigel Rudd, former chief executive of the East Midlands Regional AssemblyDeep Sagar, Chair of the NHS 24 service in ScotlandJackie Nickson, HR manager, Opagus Group | |
| Mark Wallace, campaign director for the group said: "From our point of view, taxpayers are under a lot of pressure at the moment given the record tax take and the current economic conditions. | Mark Wallace, campaign director for the group said: "From our point of view, taxpayers are under a lot of pressure at the moment given the record tax take and the current economic conditions. |
| "People are very concerned that our elected representatives are in some cases squandering our money and at the very worse helping themselves to money they're not entitled to. | "People are very concerned that our elected representatives are in some cases squandering our money and at the very worse helping themselves to money they're not entitled to. |
| "The best way to restore the publics faith and dispel those concerns is to make the system 100% transparent by publishing all expenses claims and receipts for everyone to see," he added. | "The best way to restore the publics faith and dispel those concerns is to make the system 100% transparent by publishing all expenses claims and receipts for everyone to see," he added. |
| Public perception | Public perception |
| Claire Clancy, the chief executive of the Assembly Commission said there had been "a significant public debate" about how politicians were paid and supported for their work. | Claire Clancy, the chief executive of the Assembly Commission said there had been "a significant public debate" about how politicians were paid and supported for their work. |
| "The Independent Review Panel has therefore been tasked to produce a set of evidence-based recommendations containing principles that will deliver a fair, equitable and transparent process for the financial support of Assembly Members in order to improve public knowledge and perception of these issues," she said. | "The Independent Review Panel has therefore been tasked to produce a set of evidence-based recommendations containing principles that will deliver a fair, equitable and transparent process for the financial support of Assembly Members in order to improve public knowledge and perception of these issues," she said. |
| The members of the review group include Dafydd Wigley, the former Plaid leader, but also representatives from business and the public sector outside Wales. | The members of the review group include Dafydd Wigley, the former Plaid leader, but also representatives from business and the public sector outside Wales. |
| The group is expected to report back before the end of next March to the Assembly Commission, the body responsible for providing property, staff and services to AMs. | The group is expected to report back before the end of next March to the Assembly Commission, the body responsible for providing property, staff and services to AMs. |