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Brown proposes expenses overhaul Brown proposes expenses overhaul
(40 minutes later)
Gordon Brown has said MPs' second homes allowances should be abolished urgently in an effort to "restore people's confidence" in politics. Gordon Brown has said MPs' second homes allowances should be replaced by flat-rate daily Commons attendance expenses.
They should be replaced by flat-rate daily expenses - based on Commons attendance - for MPs with seats outside London, the prime minister added. The prime minister said he wanted a Commons vote next week on the measures to "restore people's confidence".
Mr Brown said he would call a vote as early as next week. Several MPs and ministers, including Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, have been attacked for their use of second homes allowances, worth up to £24,000 a year.
It follows stories about use of second home allowances, worth up to £24,000 a year, by MPs, including some ministers. But standards watchdog Sir Christopher Kelly, who is holding an inquiry into expenses, warned against a "quick fix".
Full details of the proposed changes, which the government wants in place by July, were set out in a written statement to MPs from Commons leader Harriet Harman.Full details of the proposed changes, which the government wants in place by July, were set out in a written statement to MPs from Commons leader Harriet Harman.
Among them, she said MPs should no longer be allowed directly to employ staff, with the House of Commons instead becoming responsible for conditions, contracts and salaries.Among them, she said MPs should no longer be allowed directly to employ staff, with the House of Commons instead becoming responsible for conditions, contracts and salaries.
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
Ms Harman also 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.Ms Harman also 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.
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, currently worth up to £2,916, which applies to inner-London MPs, Ms Harman's statement added. It should be replaced by the London supplement, currently worth up to £2,916, which only applies to inner-London MPs, Ms Harman's statement 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, headed by Sir Christopher, is due to publish a review of pay and expenses by the end of the year, having brought the date forward.
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.
'Lost confidence''Lost confidence'
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."
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."
The fundamental review we are carrying out is still needed and will still go ahead Sir Christopher KellyCommittee on Standards in Public Life
In a statement, Sir Christopher said: "It is no surprise to me that the parties now want to deal with this themselves."
He added: "I have warned on numerous occasions that this is not something that can be solved by a quick fix.
"The fundamental review we are carrying out is still needed and will still go ahead.
"This issue needs to be dealt with properly so that the public can have confidence in the integrity and probity of the system."
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg told the BBC: "The great danger [of the government's plans] is you are giving MPs a lump sum simply for turning up for work."
He said it was time to "sort this out for good" and said that Mr Brown's proposals were "not the way to do it".
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.
Standards probesStandards probes
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 furore over expenses began last year when it emerged Conservative MP Derek Conway had claimed thousands of pounds for employing his two sons as researchers, although they had done far less work than reported by him.The furore over expenses began last year when it emerged Conservative MP Derek Conway had claimed thousands of pounds for employing his two sons as researchers, although they had done far less work than reported by him.
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.
MPs voted last July to keep second home expenses and rejected proposals for a tougher auditing regime.MPs voted last July to keep second home expenses and rejected proposals for a tougher auditing regime.
Mr Brown did not vote, while 33 government ministers backed keeping the allowances.Mr Brown did not vote, while 33 government ministers backed keeping the allowances.