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Brown proposes expenses overhaul Brown proposes expenses overhaul
(9 minutes later)
Gordon Brown has said he will call a parliamentary vote as early as next week to overhaul the controversial system of MPs' expenses. Gordon Brown has said MPs' second homes allowances should be abolished urgently in an effort to "restore people's confidence" in politics.
The prime minister said politicians had to "act urgently with interim proposals to restore people's confidence". They should be replaced by flat-rate daily expenses - based on Commons attendance - for MPs with seats outside London, the prime minister added.
The move follows revelations about the use of second home allowances by several MPs, including some ministers. Mr Brown said he would call a vote as early as next week.
These should be abolished in favour of flat-rate daily expenses for attending the House of Commons, Mr Brown said. It follows stories about use of second home allowances, worth up to £24,000 a year, by MPs, including some ministers.
Full details of the proposed changes were set out in a written statement to MPs from Commons leader Harriet Harman.Full details of the proposed changes were set out in a written statement to MPs from Commons leader Harriet Harman.
She said no claims for food, fuel, mortgage interest and rent should be allowed - and also said ministers living in "grace-and-favour" homes would not be able to claim the new allowance.She said no claims for food, fuel, mortgage interest and rent should be allowed - and also said ministers living in "grace-and-favour" homes would not be able to claim the new allowance.
I believe we have to act urgently with interim proposals to restore people's confidence that MPs are there to serve the public and not themselves. Gordon Brown In full: MP expenses reform plansI believe we have to act urgently with interim proposals to restore people's confidence that MPs are there to serve the public and not themselves. Gordon Brown In full: MP expenses reform plans
MPs with constituencies "within reasonable distance of Westminster" should not get extra money to pay for London accommodation.MPs with constituencies "within reasonable distance of Westminster" should not get extra money to pay for London accommodation.
It should be replaced by the London supplement, which applies to inner-London MPs, her statement to MPs added.It should be replaced by the London supplement, which applies to inner-London MPs, her statement to MPs added.
The Committee on Standards in Public Life is due to publish a review of pay and expenses by the end of the year.The Committee on Standards in Public Life is due to publish a review of pay and expenses by the end of the year.
But Mr Brown, a succession of whose ministers have been embarrassed by revelations about their expenses claims, said changes had to happen more quickly.But Mr Brown, a succession of whose ministers have been embarrassed by revelations about their expenses claims, said changes had to happen more quickly.
In a video statement on the Downing Street website, he said: "I believe we have to act urgently with interim proposals to restore people's confidence that MPs are there to serve the public and not themselves.In a video statement on the Downing Street website, he said: "I believe we have to act urgently with interim proposals to restore people's confidence that MPs are there to serve the public and not themselves.
"With these changes I hope that the work of MPs can be recognised again for what it is - service to the public.""With these changes I hope that the work of MPs can be recognised again for what it is - service to the public."
'Lost confidence''Lost confidence'
Mr Brown also said: "The issue of expenses is casting a cloud over the whole of Parliament.Mr Brown also said: "The issue of expenses is casting a cloud over the whole of Parliament.
"So members of Parliament need to have the humility to recognise that the country has lost confidence in the current system.""So members of Parliament need to have the humility to recognise that the country has lost confidence in the current system."
Calls to reform the second home allowances system have increased in recent weeks, with revelations about several MPs' use of the money.Calls to reform the second home allowances system have increased in recent weeks, with revelations about several MPs' use of the money.
It emerged earlier this month that Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon and Chancellor Alistair Darling had claimed for second homes and rented out their London apartments while living in taxpayer-funded flats.It emerged earlier this month that Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon and Chancellor Alistair Darling had claimed for second homes and rented out their London apartments while living in taxpayer-funded flats.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has apologised for "mistakenly" claiming £10 for adult films her husband watched, and is being investigated after claiming at least £116,000 on her family constituency house in Worcestershire which she designated as her second home.Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has apologised for "mistakenly" claiming £10 for adult films her husband watched, and is being investigated after claiming at least £116,000 on her family constituency house in Worcestershire which she designated as her second home.
She had designated her sister's London home, which she shares when in London, as her "main" home in her claims.She had designated her sister's London home, which she shares when in London, as her "main" home in her claims.
The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, John Lyon, has also confirmed he is investigating 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.The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, John Lyon, has also confirmed he is investigating 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 Committee on Standards in Public Life has already brought forward its wider inquiry into MPs' expenses, with a report due towards the end of the year.The Committee on Standards in Public Life has already brought forward its wider inquiry into MPs' expenses, with a report due towards the end of the year.