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Concerns over PM's expenses plan Leaders set for expenses meeting
(about 2 hours later)
The prime minister is expected to meet the Tory and Lib Dem leaders later to discuss plans to overhaul MPs' expenses to try to restore public confidence. The prime minister is set to meet the Tory and Lib Dem leaders later to discuss plans to overhaul MPs' expenses to try to restore public confidence.
His proposal to end the second homes allowance, worth up to £24,000 a year, was cautiously welcomed by David Cameron and Nick Clegg on Tuesday. His proposal to end the second homes allowance, worth up to £24,000 a year, has been cautiously welcomed by David Cameron and Nick Clegg.
But there are concerns over plans to replace it with a flat-rate daily attendance allowance.But there are concerns over plans to replace it with a flat-rate daily attendance allowance.
The home secretary is among MPs who have been criticised over expenses.The home secretary is among MPs who have been criticised over expenses.
Jacqui Smith and fellow minister Tony McNulty are both being investigated over their claims under the second homes allowance.Jacqui Smith and fellow minister Tony McNulty are both being investigated over their claims under the second homes allowance.
Interim measuresInterim measures
The proposal, announced on the Downing Street website, surprised many at Westminster and led to accusations that Gordon Brown was doing it for political reasons - the day before the Budget, which is expected to unveil gloomy economic forecasts.The proposal, announced on the Downing Street website, surprised many at Westminster and led to accusations that Gordon Brown was doing it for political reasons - the day before the Budget, which is expected to unveil gloomy economic forecasts.
Three weeks ago he appeared to rule out any changes before the independent Committee on Standards in Public Life finished its review of pay and expenses - expected at the end of the year.Three weeks ago he appeared to rule out any changes before the independent Committee on Standards in Public Life finished its review of pay and expenses - expected at the end of the year.
But on Tuesday Mr Brown said interim measures were needed much more quickly.But on Tuesday Mr Brown said interim measures were needed much more quickly.
It's a knee jerk reaction to try and win some favour from the public Michael ConnartyLabour MP Brown proposes expenses overhaul Q&A: MPs' expensesIt's a knee jerk reaction to try and win some favour from the public Michael ConnartyLabour MP Brown proposes expenses overhaul Q&A: MPs' expenses
MPs are expected to vote on the issue next week and Mr Brown wants changes in place by July - the same month detailed expenses claims by all MPs, including receipts, dating back to 2004 are due to be published after a lengthy Freedom of Information battle.MPs are expected to vote on the issue next week and Mr Brown wants changes in place by July - the same month detailed expenses claims by all MPs, including receipts, dating back to 2004 are due to be published after a lengthy Freedom of Information battle.
Mr Brown said: "The issue of expenses is casting a cloud over the whole of Parliament. Mr Brown said the expenses issue was "casting a cloud" over Parliament and MPs must recognise the public had 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."
Sir Christopher Kelly, who is leading the independent review of MPs' expenses, said he had been assured that the changes were only interim measures, ahead of his findings.Sir Christopher Kelly, who is leading the independent review of MPs' expenses, said he had been assured that the changes were only interim measures, ahead of his findings.
'Secretive''Secretive'
He said they did not go far enough to end the long-running row over MPs' expenses, adding: "This is not something that can be solved by a quick fix."He said they did not go far enough to end the long-running row over MPs' expenses, adding: "This is not something that can be solved by a quick fix."
Details of the proposed flat rate allowance are not known - Downing Street says the rate would be set independently by the Senior Salaries Review Board.Details of the proposed flat rate allowance are not known - Downing Street says the rate would be set independently by the Senior Salaries Review Board.
MPs representing seats outside central London can currently claim up to £24,000 a year to cover the costs of their second homes. The BBC's political correspondent Carole Walker said she understood the stipend would be more than £140 a day and could be checked by the swipe card MPs use to enter Parliament.
The prime minister's spokesman has said that the government's view is that the new system for expenses should cost the taxpayer less than the present system.The prime minister's spokesman has said that the government's view is that the new system for expenses should cost the taxpayer less than the present system.
MPs representing seats outside central London can currently claim up to £24,000 a year to cover the costs of their second homes.
The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson said the new system could attract criticism as it would do away with the need for receipts - so embarrassing claims would not come to light.The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson said the new system could attract criticism as it would do away with the need for receipts - so embarrassing claims would not come to light.
The proposals were met with a mixed response at Westminster. Nick Harvey, the Lib Dem MP who sat on an MPs' committee which reviewed expenses last year, said they were not properly thought through. The proposals were met with a mixed response at Westminster.
He told the BBC people might think paying out a lump sum daily rate was "more opaque and secretive" than filing claims for rent or mortgage payments. The country is fed up with the present situation Stephen Pound, Labour MP
Labour MP Michael Connarty told the BBC the flat rate idea was "absolutely stupid" and he wouldn't vote for it.Labour MP Michael Connarty told the BBC the flat rate idea was "absolutely stupid" and he wouldn't vote for it.
He said it opened the door to people clocking on for work in order to claim the attendance allowance, then leaving early.He said it opened the door to people clocking on for work in order to claim the attendance allowance, then leaving early.
"It's a madness, it's a knee jerk reaction to try and win some favour from the public.""It's a madness, it's a knee jerk reaction to try and win some favour from the public."
But Labour MP Stephen Pound said action was needed now as feelings were running high. He told the BBC: "The country is fed up with the present situation. They simply will not tolerate the idea of MPs being able to claim for window cleaning, or whatever, out of the public purse."But Labour MP Stephen Pound said action was needed now as feelings were running high. He told the BBC: "The country is fed up with the present situation. They simply will not tolerate the idea of MPs being able to claim for window cleaning, or whatever, out of the public purse."
Other proposed changes are that the House of Commons, rather than MPs, would take over responsibility for employing MPs' staff - addressing concerns about MPs who employ relatives.Other proposed changes are that the House of Commons, rather than MPs, would take over responsibility for employing MPs' staff - addressing concerns about MPs who employ relatives.
The row over expenses began in earnest 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 row over expenses began in earnest 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.
MPs would also be obliged to give more details of income they receive for work outside Parliament.MPs would also be obliged to give more details of income they receive for work outside Parliament.
Mr Cameron said the announcement was "a significant and very welcome U-turn" from Mr Brown. The Conservatives said the PM's announcement was "a significant and very welcome U-turn" from Mr Brown.
But he said he was worried "about this idea of paying MPs a per day amount to turn up and do their jobs. I think that is open to exploitation, there will be loopholes and problems". But Tory leader David Cameron said he was worried the proposed daily attendance fee could be "open to exploitation".
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg was also concerned about the daily allowance, telling the BBC: "This is what they do in the European Parliament and I don't think bringing the Brussels gravy train to Westminster is the answer to our problems." Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg is also concerned about the daily allowance: "This is what they do in the European Parliament and I don't think bringing the Brussels gravy train to Westminster is the answer to our problems," he told the BBC.