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Panel due to report on AMs' money Panel due to report on AMs' money
(about 1 hour later)
An independent panel investigating pay and expenses among members of the Welsh assembly is about to report back.An independent panel investigating pay and expenses among members of the Welsh assembly is about to report back.
The findings will come after almost a year of investigation and following recent controversies over expenses.The findings will come after almost a year of investigation and following recent controversies over expenses.
Panel members have held more than 20 meetings - including two in public - and compared procedures at other parliamentary bodies.Panel members have held more than 20 meetings - including two in public - and compared procedures at other parliamentary bodies.
The panel say the aim is to reward AMs fairly for their work, but with the emphasis on transparency.The panel say the aim is to reward AMs fairly for their work, but with the emphasis on transparency.
"We have adopted a number of principles to guide us in our work. One of these is that our recommendations must be based on evidence", said Sir Roger Jones, who chairs the panel. "We have adopted a number of principles to guide us in our work. One of these is that our recommendations must be based on evidence," said Sir Roger Jones, who chairs the panel.
"We want to get this right - to ensure not only that any new system of pay and allowances is fair, transparent, and recognises and rewards AMs' skills, but also that it provides value for money". "We want to get this right - to ensure not only that any new system of pay and allowances is fair, transparent, and recognises and rewards AMs' skills, but also that it provides value for money."
The panel was established in August last year to "look at all aspects of financial support available to AMs."The panel was established in August last year to "look at all aspects of financial support available to AMs."
i-Podi-Pod
Its recommendations are meant to take into account extra responsibility for AMs as a result of the Government of Wales Act in 2006.Its recommendations are meant to take into account extra responsibility for AMs as a result of the Government of Wales Act in 2006.
At the moment AMs receive an annual salary of £53,108, which is 82% of an MP's salary.At the moment AMs receive an annual salary of £53,108, which is 82% of an MP's salary.
The additional costs allowance - for second home expenses - stands at up to £13,000 for payment of interest-only mortgages and furnishings.The additional costs allowance - for second home expenses - stands at up to £13,000 for payment of interest-only mortgages and furnishings.
Last year Welsh conservative leader Nick Bourne was embroiled in controversy over his claim for an iPod, which he has since repaid.Last year Welsh conservative leader Nick Bourne was embroiled in controversy over his claim for an iPod, which he has since repaid.
The latest details of AMs' expenses claims were published online last week.The latest details of AMs' expenses claims were published online last week.
They show AMs claimed more than £230,000 for mortgages and rent last year and £50,000 for meals.They show AMs claimed more than £230,000 for mortgages and rent last year and £50,000 for meals.
MPs expenses have also been published online, but Commons authorities were criticised because many of the details were blacked out.MPs expenses have also been published online, but Commons authorities were criticised because many of the details were blacked out.
The independent review panel includes chair Sir Roger Jones, pro-chancellor at Swansea University, Jackie Nickson, a senior human resources manager, Nigel Rudd, the former chief executive of the East Midlands Regional Assembly, and Dafydd Wigley, the former Plaid Cymru president.The independent review panel includes chair Sir Roger Jones, pro-chancellor at Swansea University, Jackie Nickson, a senior human resources manager, Nigel Rudd, the former chief executive of the East Midlands Regional Assembly, and Dafydd Wigley, the former Plaid Cymru president.