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MP expenses row reaches Darling Harman pledges action on expenses
(about 3 hours later)
Chancellor Alistair Darling has become the latest minister to be drawn into the row over MPs' second home expenses. Commons leader Harriet Harman says there will be "big changes" to rules on MPs' expenses after a series of stories about ministers' second homes claims.
His spokeswoman said he broke no rules by claiming for his Edinburgh home and renting out his London flat while living in 11 Downing Street rent-free. She said "clearer rules and tough enforcement" were needed and the government would take action "soon".
Geoff Hoon had a similar arrangement when he was living in a taxpayer-funded Whitehall flat as defence secretary. An independent inquiry into the system of expenses is being brought forward.
Commons leader Harriet Harman said "big changes" in the rules were likely after an independent probe into expenses. It has emerged Geoff Hoon and Alistair Darling claimed for second homes and rented out their London apartments while living in taxpayer-funded flats.
Mr Hoon, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and minister Tony McNulty have all found their second homes expenses scrutinised in recent weeks. Both the chancellor and the transport secretary say their claims were within the rules and openly declared.
Homes redesignated 'Taking action'
Transport Secretary Mr Hoon has said he broke no rules by claiming second home allowances while living in a taxpayer-funded apartment and renting out his London flat. Ms Harman told BBC News ministers were not living "entirely free" in government properties, which were regarded as a taxable benefit and subject to council tax.
Ms Smith has contested newspaper claims that she billed taxpayers £40 for a barbecue in her second home. But she added: "We all recognise the rules need to change and that's why Gordon Brown has asked for a review by this independent committee called the Committee on Standards in Public Life and there are going to be some big changes that are made."
She has already apologised for "mistakenly" claiming £10 for adult films her husband watched, and is being investigated after claiming at least £116,000 for her constituency house in Worcestershire. His own London home was rented out to cover costs and this was openly declared in the register of members' interests, Alistair Darling's spokeswoman
There are going to be some big changes Harriet Harman She said "clearer rules and tough enforcement" were needed to boost public confidence and Parliament's reputation.
In Mr Darling's case, he was taxed on the benefit of living in Downing Street and paid council tax there, his spokeswoman said. "Gordon Brown has asked for an independent review and we will be taking action soon," she said.
It came as it emerged that, despite living rent-free at 11 Downing Street, Mr Darling claims thousands in second-home payments on his Edinburgh constituency home while also renting out his London flat - designated as his main home.
His spokeswoman said he was taxed on the benefit of living in Downing Street and paid council tax there.
Second homes
"Alistair Darling moved as chancellor into Downing St in 2007 - No 11 Downing Street became his main home - so his Edinburgh home was re-designated as his second home."Alistair Darling moved as chancellor into Downing St in 2007 - No 11 Downing Street became his main home - so his Edinburgh home was re-designated as his second home.
"His own London home was rented out to cover costs and this was openly declared in the register of members' interests," she said."His own London home was rented out to cover costs and this was openly declared in the register of members' interests," she said.
She said he did not claim the maximum allowance for his second home in Edinburgh. Last year he claimed £9,837 of the total £23,083 allowed.She said he did not claim the maximum allowance for his second home in Edinburgh. Last year he claimed £9,837 of the total £23,083 allowed.
'Tough enforcement'
Ms Harman told the BBC ministers were not living "entirely free" in government properties, which were regarded as a taxable benefit and subject to council tax.
But she added: "We all recognise the rules need to change and that's why Gordon Brown has asked for a review by this independent committee called the committee on standards in public life and there are going to be some big changes that are made."
She said "clearer rules and tough enforcement" were needed to boost public confidence and Parliament's reputation.
It is clearly barmy for ministers to indulge in a form of double counting that enables them to enjoy two homes at the taxpayer's expense Nick CleggLib DemsIt is clearly barmy for ministers to indulge in a form of double counting that enables them to enjoy two homes at the taxpayer's expense Nick CleggLib Dems
A Downing Street spokesman said the government would wait until the committee had completed its review before bringing forward proposals for change.
Gordon Brown's spokesman also defended the prime minister's decision to claim the second homes allowance, despite having the official flat in Downing Street.
"The approach he takes is in line with the approach taken by his predecessors," the spokesman said.
The controversial second homes allowance is meant to cover the costs of MPs staying away from home on parliamentary business and can be used towards mortgage interest and rent payments, hotel bills, as well as furniture, utility bills and upkeep costs - among other things.
MPs must designate a property as their main home - usually their property in London - then claim expenses on their "second" home, which is usually the constituency property.
Mr Hoon, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and employment minister Tony McNulty have all found their second homes expenses scrutinised recently.
Mr Hoon has said he broke no rules by claiming second home allowances while living in a taxpayer-funded apartment, when he was defence secretary, and renting out his London flat.
Ms Smith has contested newspaper claims that she billed taxpayers £40 for a barbecue in her second home.
Investigation
She has already apologised for "mistakenly" claiming £10 for adult films her husband watched, and is being investigated after claiming at least £116,000 for her constituency house in Worcestershire.
She had designated her sister's London home, where she rents a room, as her "main" home in her claims.
Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, John Lyon, confirmed he was investigating another Labour MP over an allowance claimed for a second home in London.Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, John Lyon, confirmed he was investigating another Labour MP over an allowance claimed for a second home in London.
He has begun an inquiry into Leyton and Wanstead MP Harry Cohen who claims costs for his east London home because he lists a house 70 miles away in Colchester, Essex as his main residence.He has begun an inquiry into Leyton and Wanstead MP Harry Cohen who claims costs for his east London home because he lists a house 70 miles away in Colchester, Essex as his main residence.
Mr Lyon is also investigating a complaint about Labour minister Tony McNulty, who claimed thousands of pounds in allowances for the house his parents lived in, in his Harrow East constituency.Mr Lyon is also investigating a complaint about Labour minister Tony McNulty, who claimed thousands of pounds in allowances for the house his parents lived in, in his Harrow East constituency.
The growing number of revelations has led to fresh calls for MPs' expenses rules to be tightened.The growing number of revelations has led to fresh calls for MPs' expenses rules to be tightened.
The Committee on Standards in Public Life is bringing forward a wider inquiry into MPs' expenses, with a report due towards the end of the year.The Committee on Standards in Public Life is bringing forward a wider inquiry into MPs' expenses, with a report due towards the end of the year.
Mr Darling told the BBC that the recent spate of revelations was "damaging".
He said: "I think we do need to get an outside examination of this and so there are recommendations coming from people who've got no axe to grind. I think that's what the public want, and they want it quickly."
Shadow business secretary Ken Clarke said the stream of stories about MPs' expenses had been "dreadful" for public confidence.Shadow business secretary Ken Clarke said the stream of stories about MPs' expenses had been "dreadful" for public confidence.
"People should be sceptical about their politicians - don't regard them as heroes - but now we have an exaggerated public view that they are all thieves, they are all rogues, they are all lining their own pockets. "People should be sceptical about their politicians - don't regard them as heroes - but now we have an exaggerated public view that they are all thieves, they are all rogues, they are all lining their own pockets."
"Two thirds of them, I am quite sure, are doing nothing improper at all - at least two thirds I hope." Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg, who will publish his own reform proposals this week, said: "It is clearly barmy for ministers to indulge in a form of double counting that enables them to enjoy two homes at the taxpayer's expense."
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg, who will publish his own reform proposals this week, said: "It is clearly barmy for ministers to indulge in a form of double counting that enables them to enjoy two homes at the taxpayer's expense.
"To say this is within the rules will only serve to convince the public that the rules are broken and need to be fixed as soon as possible."