Row continues over MPs expenses
AN attempt to stop details of how MPs spend their expenses has been branded "disgraceful".
Proposals tabled by Commons Leader Harriet Harman to change the rules went largely unnoticed last week asParliament focused on plans to build a new Heathrow runway.
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If passed, the proposals would mean MPs get key exemptions from the Freedom of Information Act so details of individual receipts would not be published.
Matthew Elliott, of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "It is an absolute disgrace that the Government are going to such absurd lengths to keep MPs' expenses secret."
Sherwood MP Paddy Tipping said: "I'm a relatively low claimer and I'm absolutely sick of all the controversy that surrounds this issue.
"Without a doubt the simplest thing to do would be for all expenses to be published in the most detail they can be."
Under the proposals, records of how expenses for a second home are spent would list figures under broad headings rather than individual receipts.
Nottingham South MP Alan Simpson favoured changes but said: "If we are going to demand that MPs expenses be published in minute detail then so should everyone's, even the private sector's."
For news on your Notts MPs visit Lobbydog at http://lobbydog.thisisnottingham.co.uk
2 Comments
by jim, waiting to vote red white and blue
Tuesday, January 20 2009, 12:11PM
“DONT BELEIVE A WORD OF IT PETE THEIR SQUEEKY CLEAN THE LOT OF UM”
by Pete, Cinderhill
Monday, January 19 2009, 3:40PM
“They don't want you to know of their expenses claims, I wonder why?
Last year 2 MPs, Alan & Anne Keen claimed £5000 for hotel expenses in a six week period - equivalent to £260 a night when the Commons sat for 19 nights, their home is 9 miles away from the House of Commons, if they are too tired to drive home why didn't they get a taxi - or even one each.
MPs can claim everything back from the taxpayer from new light bulbs to a new kitchen, they don't pay for rent/mortgage, gas, electric, telephone,water or Council tax and transport to work.”