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Big cuts in AMs expenses proposed AMs' expenses face radical cuts
(about 1 hour later)
Drastic reductions in the expenses Welsh Assembly Members can claim have been proposed by an independent panel.Drastic reductions in the expenses Welsh Assembly Members can claim have been proposed by an independent panel.
The panel, chaired by Swansea University Pro-chancellor Sir Roger Jones, recommends a number of payments related to second homes be abolished. The panel, chaired by Swansea University Pro-chancellor Sir Roger Jones, recommends scrapping a number of payments related to second homes.
Under the plans, AMs would no longer claim mortgage interest on second homes but 25 of the 60 politicians could rent accommodation in Cardiff Bay instead. Under the plans, AMs would no longer claim mortgage interest on second homes but 25 of the 60 politicians could rent accommodation near Cardiff Bay instead.
AMs would also not be able to claim for furniture and fittings on second homes.AMs would also not be able to claim for furniture and fittings on second homes.
These changes would come into effect after the assembly election in May 2011. These changes would come into effect after the next assembly election in May 2011.
The panel's report, "Getting it Right for Wales", follows a 10 month investigation of the pay and expenses of assembly members.The panel's report, "Getting it Right for Wales", follows a 10 month investigation of the pay and expenses of assembly members.
Its key recommendations include ensuring every expense claimed requires a receipt and 'appropriate documentary evidence'. At present 51 of the AMs are entitled to a second home allowance for attending the assembly in Cardiff, more than double the number who would be allowed to claim after 2011 if the proposals are accepted.
Assembly Members would no longer be able to employ family members in future but any existing arrangements would continue.
Key recommendations also include ensuring every expenses claim would require a receipt and 'appropriate documentary evidence'.
The review panel was set up last August to investigate the systemThe review panel was set up last August to investigate the system
The current link between AM's pay and that of MPs at Westminster would also be broken. The current link between AMs' pay and MPs' salaries would be broken.
The report argues assembly member's salaries should be increased in line with inflation next year and in future be fixed for each four-year assembly term. The report argues AM's salaries should be increased in line with inflation next year and in future be fixed for each four-year assembly term.
AMs earnings would, under the new system, be linked to changes in average earnings in Wales. AMs earnings would, under the new system, be linked to changes in average earnings in Wales and set by an independent review body.
The current 'daily allowance' of £30.65 for days assembly members spend away from their main home would be scrapped "as soon as possible". The current 'daily allowance' of £30.65 for members' on assembly business to spend on meals would be scrapped "as soon as possible".
After recent controversies over MPs' expenses, a tightening up of AMs' second home allowances was expected.After recent controversies over MPs' expenses, a tightening up of AMs' second home allowances was expected.
Last year AMs claimed more than £230,000 for mortgages and rent, as the expenses' publication online showed. Sir Roger Jones urged the Assembly Commission, the body responsible for running the institution, to accept the report in its entirety.
"I firmly believe that adopting the recommendations contained in the panel's report will allow the National Assembly for Wales and Assembly Members to re-establish the necessary confidence and trust of the people of Wales in the devolved democratic process," he said.
Air travel
The Assembly Commission, with representatives from all four parties, will consider the proposals on Tuesday.
Last year, AMs claimed more than £230,000 for mortgages and rent, as the expenses' publication online showed.
They also claimed £4,500 for air travel and nearly £50,000 for meals and subsistence.They also claimed £4,500 for air travel and nearly £50,000 for meals and subsistence.
From October, monthly updates of AMs' expenses will be posted on the assembly's website.From October, monthly updates of AMs' expenses will be posted on the assembly's website.
The review panel was set up last August after AMs were awarded a controversial 8.3% pay rise to recognise their growing workload and law-making responsibilities. The review panel was set up last August after AMs were awarded a controversial 8.3% pay rise to recognise their growing workload and law-making responsibilities following the 2006 Government of Wales Act.
The six Liberal Democrats AMs endorsed the report.
Leader Kirsty Williams said: "We as a group welcome the report and we will accept its recommendations.
"This is a fair and transparent system of financial support for Assembly Members."
Welsh Conservative assembly group chairman Paul Davies, AM, described the document as a making "an important contribution in bringing greater transparency to Assembly Members' allowances and expenses claims".
"We have always supported greater openness in how politicians spend public money in relation to their work and will study the report's findings closely," he said.
Extra responsibilitiesExtra responsibilities
More than 20 meetings, two in public, have been held and comparisons have been made with other parliamentary bodies.More than 20 meetings, two in public, have been held and comparisons have been made with other parliamentary bodies.
Its recommendations are meant to take into account extra responsibility for AMs as a result of the Government of Wales Act in 2006. Currently, 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 - currently stands at up to £13,115 for payment of interest-only mortgages and furnishings.The additional costs allowance - for second home expenses - currently stands at up to £13,115 for payment of interest-only mortgages and furnishings.
AMs can also claim up to £15,135 to run their offices.AMs can also claim up to £15,135 to run their offices.
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.