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/8058736.stm

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 8 Version 9
Harman sets out expenses reforms Expenses reform 'to boost trust'
(about 3 hours later)
Commons leader Harriet Harman has set out reforms to MPs expenses she says will end the "gentlemen's club". Commons leader Harriet Harman has set out changes to MPs' expenses she says will put Parliament "above reproach".
She told MPs the move from self- regulation to external regulation was needed to "put the reputation of Parliament above reproach". Moving from self to external regulation was necessary for "reparation and for reassurance" following the outcry over leaked expenses revelations, she said.
Party leaders have agreed to proposals for a £1,250-a-month cap on rent and mortgage interest payments and a ban on "flipping" second homes in 2009/10. Immediate changes, agreed by party leaders, include a £1,250 a month cap on mortgage interest and rent payments.
The changes were backed by shadow Commons leader Alan Duncan. Others are a ban on "flipping" second homes in 2009/10 and on claiming for furniture, cleaning and stamp duty.
The changes - which are temporary until an independent review of the whole system makes new recommendations in the autumn - were welcomed by the Conservatives and Liberal Democrat leaderships.
But Tory leader David Cameron, speaking earlier at prime minister's questions, said the only way to end the "paralysis" caused by the expenses scandal was to hold a general election.But Tory leader David Cameron, speaking earlier at prime minister's questions, said the only way to end the "paralysis" caused by the expenses scandal was to hold a general election.
'Chaos''Chaos'
In angry exchanges with Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Mr Cameron seized on remarks by Mr Brown in which he said an election would cause "chaos".In angry exchanges with Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Mr Cameron seized on remarks by Mr Brown in which he said an election would cause "chaos".
"The prime minister calls elections chaos. I call them change. Why can't we have one?," asked Mr Cameron."The prime minister calls elections chaos. I call them change. Why can't we have one?," asked Mr Cameron.
The days of MPs being judge and jury of their own pay, judge and jury of their own expenses, are over Nick Clegg, Lib Dem leader LIVE: Prime minister's questions
Mr Brown said the Conservatives would cause "chaos" with public spending cuts, prompting Mr Cameron to say: "So there we have it - the first admission that you think you are going to lose."Mr Brown said the Conservatives would cause "chaos" with public spending cuts, prompting Mr Cameron to say: "So there we have it - the first admission that you think you are going to lose."
Mr Cameron has agreed with Mr Brown and Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg on interim changes to the expenses regime, which were unveiled by Speaker Michael Martin on Tuesday, after he announced he would be standing down. The party leaders agreed to temporary changes which were unveiled by Speaker Michael Martin on Tuesday, after he announced he would be standing down.
Detailing the changes, Ms Harman said "most MPs are hard working, decent and honest" but reforms were needed to ensure "Parliamentary democracy is as strong and confident as it can be and also that the public recognise that to be the case". The days of MPs being judge and jury of their own expenses, are over Nick Clegg, Lib Dem leader class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/8059183.stm">The Full Story: PM's questions
The changes being debated by MPs - which would also stop claims for furniture, cleaning and stamp duty - are intended to be interim changes, until an independent review of allowances which is expected to propose changes in the autumn. Ms Harman told MPs the government would consult on setting up a new Parliamentary Standards Authority, which would be able to disallow claims, order some to be repaid and issue financial penalties. It would also regulate and administer peers' allowances.
'Completely open' But it would not suspend MPs - that would remain an issue for the House of Commons via the standards and privileges committee.
Mr Martin said on Tuesday all parties were now committed to accepting the recommendations from Sir Christopher Kelly's Committee on Standards in Public Life, provided they met certain tests. Other measures announced by the Speaker included: Most MPs were "hard working, decent and honest" but reforms were needed to ensure "Parliamentary democracy is as strong and confident as it can be," she said.
    class="bulletList" >
  • MPs who are couples will be obliged to nominate the same main home and will only be able to claim one person's accommodation allowance between them
  • All claims will be published quarterly online
  • Members will have to be "completely open" with the tax authorities about whether properties are second homes and liable to capital gains tax
  • With regards to accommodation, only rent, hotel bills, overnight subsistence, mortgage interest, council tax, utility charges and insurance will be allowed
  • Mortgage claims must be accurate, for interest only and on continuing loans
  • A clear test of "reasonableness" will be applied to all claims by the Department of Resources in an effort to "tighten up" allowances
  • Claims which are the subject of any doubts will be refused with no opportunity of appeal
She said while politics was all about "deeply held, different views" there was a "consensus across all parties that we need to put the reputation of Parliament above reproach".
Meanwhile, Hazel Blears has insisted she will be carrying on with her job despite Mr Brown's remark that her expenses claim was "totally unacceptable". Her Conservative shadow Alan Duncan said MPs must embrace the "massive structural shift" of giving up the right to determine their own remuneration - if Parliament was "not to sink further in the eyes of voters".
Sources said the communities secretary was "chipper" despite the PM's criticism of her failure to pay capital gains tax on the sale of a flat she designated as her second home for Commons expenses purposes. 'Quite worried'
Liberal Democrat David Heath welcomed plans for external regulation - but said he was concerned the new rules might mean MPs were given a "perverse incentive" to buy, not rent.
Ms Harman said the members estimate committee would consider the matter when it meets later "to work out how we put the very important cap on accommodation expenses into practice".
Some MPs raised concerns about the new rules leaving people worse off and there were questions about who the new standards body would be accountable to.
Tory Brian Binley said some MPs were "really quite worried" that they would be caught out "through no fault of their own".
But Labour's Clive Efford asked how the £1,250 cap on mortgage interest had been arrived at - suggesting it was too high - Ms Harman said the members' estimate committee had looked at the average for all MPs.
Two Labour MPs, Don Touhig and Diane Abbott, stuck up for staff in the Commons Fees Office who many MPs have claimed approved claims which now appear questionable.
Ms Abbott warned against blaming the ordinary staff "on average salaries" for something all MPs had to take responsibility for.
Other interim changes to MPs' expenses announced by the Speaker on Tuesday included:
  • MPs who are couples will be obliged to nominate the same main home and will only be able to claim one person's accommodation allowance between them
  • All claims will be published quarterly online
  • Members will have to be "completely open" with the tax authorities about whether properties are second homes and liable to capital gains tax
  • On accommodation, only rent, hotel bills, overnight subsistence, mortgage interest, council tax, utility charges and insurance will be allowed
  • Mortgage claims must be accurate, for interest only and on continuing loans
  • A clear test of "reasonableness" will be applied to all claims by the Department of Resources in an effort to "tighten up" allowances
  • Claims which are the subject of any doubts will be refused with no opportunity of appeal
Meanwhile, Hazel Blears has insisted she will be carrying on with her job despite Mr Brown's remark that it was "totally unacceptable" that she failed to pay capital gains tax on the sale of the flat she designated her second home for expenses purposes.
Speaking in her Salford constituency, Ms Blears said comments by the prime minister's spokesman that she was doing a "good job" showed that Mr Brown had "full confidence" in her.Speaking in her Salford constituency, Ms Blears said comments by the prime minister's spokesman that she was doing a "good job" showed that Mr Brown had "full confidence" in her.
'Full confidence'
She has said she will pay the money - and although Mr Brown said she had not broken the law or the rules he told GMTV she was "minister for communities at the moment". He added there would be a further investigation and if that found any rules had been broken action would be taken.
Ms Blears has however received support from her constituency, with the local party saying she "will be our Labour candidate at the next General Election. We have full confidence in her".
The Daily Telegraph has, meanwhile, published further revelations about MPs' expenses claims.The Daily Telegraph has, meanwhile, published further revelations about MPs' expenses claims.
MPs targeted include Conservative James Gray, who reportedly claimed £2,000 for the future redecoration of his second home on the day his lease ended - he told the newspaper he had paid for "dilapidation caused by 10 years of occupation".MPs targeted include Conservative James Gray, who reportedly claimed £2,000 for the future redecoration of his second home on the day his lease ended - he told the newspaper he had paid for "dilapidation caused by 10 years of occupation".
Blears: 'PM thinks I'm doing great job'
Labour MP Chris Mullin's claim - for £45 towards the licence fee for his black and white television - is contrasted with some of his colleagues' claims for expensive plasma screen TVs.Labour MP Chris Mullin's claim - for £45 towards the licence fee for his black and white television - is contrasted with some of his colleagues' claims for expensive plasma screen TVs.
Liberal Democrat MP Phil Willis is accused of spending about £15,000 of public money on mortgage interest payments and refurbishing a flat in which his daughter now lives - he said she had never been a "permanent resident".Liberal Democrat MP Phil Willis is accused of spending about £15,000 of public money on mortgage interest payments and refurbishing a flat in which his daughter now lives - he said she had never been a "permanent resident".
Labour MP Ian Davidson reportedly paid a family friend £5,500 to renovate his London flat and had reclining furniture worth £1,459 delivered to his constituency home in Glasgow - which he had claimed for the London flat.Labour MP Ian Davidson reportedly paid a family friend £5,500 to renovate his London flat and had reclining furniture worth £1,459 delivered to his constituency home in Glasgow - which he had claimed for the London flat.
He said the furniture was later driven to his London flat and he had sought permission to use the friend for renovations - which he said would have been cheaper than using a London firm.He said the furniture was later driven to his London flat and he had sought permission to use the friend for renovations - which he said would have been cheaper than using a London firm.
On Tuesday Mr Martin told MPs he intended to stand down, so becoming the first Commons Speaker to be effectively forced out of office for 300 years.On Tuesday Mr Martin told MPs he intended to stand down, so becoming the first Commons Speaker to be effectively forced out of office for 300 years.
He had been under pressure after attacking MPs who had criticised his handling of the row and speculation has already switched at Westminster to who his successor might be. He had been under pressure after attacking MPs who had criticised his handling of the row and speculation has already switched at Westminster to whom his successor might be.