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/7973075.stm
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Scrap second home allowance - PM | Scrap second home allowance - PM |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Gordon Brown has suggested scrapping the controversial second home payment for MPs as part of a wide-ranging shake-up of parliamentary allowances. | Gordon Brown has suggested scrapping the controversial second home payment for MPs as part of a wide-ranging shake-up of parliamentary allowances. |
| Mr Brown has told a committee looking at MPs' expenses the £23,083 annual allowance could be replaced with a flat-rate payment for overnight stays. | Mr Brown has told a committee looking at MPs' expenses the £23,083 annual allowance could be replaced with a flat-rate payment for overnight stays. |
| He also urged the committee to begin its review as early as possible. | He also urged the committee to begin its review as early as possible. |
| His intervention comes after rows over allowances claimed by ministers including Home Secretary Jacqui Smith. | His intervention comes after rows over allowances claimed by ministers including Home Secretary Jacqui Smith. |
| Controversies | Controversies |
| Ms Smith was criticised for claiming more than £116,000 in allowances for her family home in the West Midlands after nominating her sister's property in London - where she stayed several nights a week - as her main residence. | Ms Smith was criticised for claiming more than £116,000 in allowances for her family home in the West Midlands after nominating her sister's property in London - where she stayed several nights a week - as her main residence. |
| This and other cases prompted calls for reform of the additional costs allowance, which covers the cost of an MP staying away from their main residence to perform their parliamentary duties. | This and other cases prompted calls for reform of the additional costs allowance, which covers the cost of an MP staying away from their main residence to perform their parliamentary duties. |
| MPs can claim a maximum of £23,083 in such costs every year, including those who live in outer London. | MPs can claim a maximum of £23,083 in such costs every year, including those who live in outer London. |
| I would be grateful if you could look to both start and conclude the review earlier than previously indicated to allow us to make progress on the issue as soon as practical Gordon Brown Brown backs Smith in expenses row | I would be grateful if you could look to both start and conclude the review earlier than previously indicated to allow us to make progress on the issue as soon as practical Gordon Brown Brown backs Smith in expenses row |
| It recently emerged that Employment Minister Tony McNulty claimed the allowance towards his parents home in Harrow which he used in addition to a flat in central London. | It recently emerged that Employment Minister Tony McNulty claimed the allowance towards his parents home in Harrow which he used in addition to a flat in central London. |
| The Conservatives and Lib Dems both argue that the public has lost faith in the current system of allowances and it must be overhauled as soon as possible. | |
| And in a letter to the independent Committee on Standards in Public Life, which is looking into MPs' pay and expenses, Mr Brown has now urged it to consider replacing the existing payment with a "simpler overnight allowance" that would be independently determined. | |
| He also suggested that all London MPs should receive the same allowance, ending the current distinction which allows those in outer London to make the additional claim for a second home. | He also suggested that all London MPs should receive the same allowance, ending the current distinction which allows those in outer London to make the additional claim for a second home. |
| "In each case you might consider the international experience on these issues to bring the UK in line with best international practice," Mr Brown said. | "In each case you might consider the international experience on these issues to bring the UK in line with best international practice," Mr Brown said. |
| 'Making progress' | 'Making progress' |
| Opposition MPs have criticised the fact the review is not due to start until the autumn, and unlikely to report before the next election, and called for it to be brought forward. | Opposition MPs have criticised the fact the review is not due to start until the autumn, and unlikely to report before the next election, and called for it to be brought forward. |
| In his letter to the committee's chairman Sir Christopher Kelly, Mr Brown said: "I would be grateful if you could look to both start and conclude the review earlier than previously indicated to allow us to make progress on the issue as soon as practical". | In his letter to the committee's chairman Sir Christopher Kelly, Mr Brown said: "I would be grateful if you could look to both start and conclude the review earlier than previously indicated to allow us to make progress on the issue as soon as practical". |
| The BBC's political correspondent Carole Walker said the PM's proposals, if enacted, would mean far-reaching changes. | The BBC's political correspondent Carole Walker said the PM's proposals, if enacted, would mean far-reaching changes. |
| At an earlier press conference, Mr Brown said he wanted to ensure the allowances system was improved, stressing that public scrutiny was a "necessary element" of democracy. | At an earlier press conference, Mr Brown said he wanted to ensure the allowances system was improved, stressing that public scrutiny was a "necessary element" of democracy. |
| HIGHEST MPS' CLAIMS - 2007/8 Eric Joyce (Lab: Falkirk West) £187,334Michael Connarty (Lab: Falkirk East) £183,466Alistair Carmichael (Lib Dem: Orkney and Shetland) £176,190Ben Wallace (Con: Lancaster & Wyre) £175,523Mohammed Sarwar (Lab: Glasgow Govan) £174,882 Full details of MPs' allowances | HIGHEST MPS' CLAIMS - 2007/8 Eric Joyce (Lab: Falkirk West) £187,334Michael Connarty (Lab: Falkirk East) £183,466Alistair Carmichael (Lib Dem: Orkney and Shetland) £176,190Ben Wallace (Con: Lancaster & Wyre) £175,523Mohammed Sarwar (Lab: Glasgow Govan) £174,882 Full details of MPs' allowances |
| He also defended Jacqui Smith who came under fresh pressure after it emerged she inadvertently claimed on expenses the cost of two adult movies watched by her husband. | He also defended Jacqui Smith who came under fresh pressure after it emerged she inadvertently claimed on expenses the cost of two adult movies watched by her husband. |
| Details of MPs' allowances published by the Commons authorities on Monday show that Jacqui Smith claimed £22,948 towards her second home in 2007-8. | Details of MPs' allowances published by the Commons authorities on Monday show that Jacqui Smith claimed £22,948 towards her second home in 2007-8. |
| In total, she was reimbursed for £157,631 towards the cost of accommodation, travel, office and staffing. | In total, she was reimbursed for £157,631 towards the cost of accommodation, travel, office and staffing. |
| Mr McNulty, who said he stopped claiming the second home allowance in January, claimed £12,600 for this in 2007-8. | Mr McNulty, who said he stopped claiming the second home allowance in January, claimed £12,600 for this in 2007-8. |
| Mr McNulty is having his expenses claim investigated by Parliament's standards commissioner, as is Ms Smith. | Mr McNulty is having his expenses claim investigated by Parliament's standards commissioner, as is Ms Smith. |
| Claims details | Claims details |
| Both Mr McNulty and Ms Smith have said their second home allowances were approved by the parliamentary authorities although Mr McNulty has said there are "anomalies" in the system that need to be looked at. | Both Mr McNulty and Ms Smith have said their second home allowances were approved by the parliamentary authorities although Mr McNulty has said there are "anomalies" in the system that need to be looked at. |
| Ms Smith's allowances claim included £2,531 to reimburse journeys made by the home secretary's husband Richard Timney, who works as her parliamentary assistant. | Ms Smith's allowances claim included £2,531 to reimburse journeys made by the home secretary's husband Richard Timney, who works as her parliamentary assistant. |
| LOWEST MPS' CLAIMS - 2007/8 Philip Hollobone (Con: Kettering) £47,737Tony Blair (Lab: Sedgefield) £64,064*Dennis Skinner (Lab: Bolsover) £66,933Michael Martin (Lab: Glasgow Springburn) £74,522Alan Williams (Lab: Swansea West) £80,526Richard Taylor (Ind: Wyre Forest) £86,484 *Stood down in June 2007 | LOWEST MPS' CLAIMS - 2007/8 Philip Hollobone (Con: Kettering) £47,737Tony Blair (Lab: Sedgefield) £64,064*Dennis Skinner (Lab: Bolsover) £66,933Michael Martin (Lab: Glasgow Springburn) £74,522Alan Williams (Lab: Swansea West) £80,526Richard Taylor (Ind: Wyre Forest) £86,484 *Stood down in June 2007 |
| Mr Timney was forced to apologise on Sunday after newspapers reported that he had paid for two adult films which Ms Smith had inadvertently claimed for on expenses. | Mr Timney was forced to apologise on Sunday after newspapers reported that he had paid for two adult films which Ms Smith had inadvertently claimed for on expenses. |
| Ms Smith has paid the money back and has been backed by the prime minister who said the issue was a "personal matter". | Ms Smith has paid the money back and has been backed by the prime minister who said the issue was a "personal matter". |
| Details of the allowances claims of all MPs were due to be published in October but were delayed following a legal row over the publication of full receipts and invoices for spending. | Details of the allowances claims of all MPs were due to be published in October but were delayed following a legal row over the publication of full receipts and invoices for spending. |
| The figures show that Gordon Brown claimed £124,454 last year while Conservative leader David Cameron claimed £148,829. | The figures show that Gordon Brown claimed £124,454 last year while Conservative leader David Cameron claimed £148,829. |
| Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg, who has called for all three party leaders to meet in the next few days to discuss the need for speedy reforms, claimed £149,026. | Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg, who has called for all three party leaders to meet in the next few days to discuss the need for speedy reforms, claimed £149,026. |