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MPs 'claim for flats, fish tanks and iPods'
Nicholas Cecil and Jason Beattie08.02.08
A London MP accused many of his parliamentary colleagues of "playing the system" of Commons expenses as it emerged they can claim for fishtanks and iPods.
Backbencher Mark Field warned that MPs' allowances for a second home in the capital was too often being abused, which was "tantamount to a serious diversion of public funds."
He raised his concerns as Andrew Walker, head of the Commons finance department, told a Freedom of Information tribunal that MPs could claim for fish tanks and iPods, and did not have to put in receipts for items below £250 or for £400 worth of food a month.
The tribunal, which is ruling on whether MPs should have to give a greater breakdown of expenditure, was told the Commons authorities have a "John Lewis list" to decide what can be claimed by MPs, though one request for a fishtank was recently refused.
Cities of London and Westminster MP Mr Field issued his warning in a letter to Commons Speaker Michael Martin, who has ordered a review of allowances.
Mr Field stressed that the £23,000 additional cost allowance - public funds for MPs to pay for a second home close to Westminster - had been "an accident waiting to happen".
"The time has come to abolish the ACA (which, in my view, all too frequently results in the improper use of Parliamentary allowances tantamount to a serious diversion of public funds)."
The Speaker's review of Commons perks and allowances follows a recent report by the independent Salaries Review Body which said the second home allowance created "the greatest scope for abuse" by MPs.
Reader views (4)
New labour has completely betrayed the working classes. It has neglected the working class who are really struggling to make ends meet at the moment, with increase in prices everywhere! They can no longer afford the rising fuel bills and the unbelievable petrol prices; it seems so many ordinary people are really struggling to meet their bills; just to stand still.
Meanwhile these ordinary people observe massive profits for the utility companies, and the petrol companies and the massive wage increases for the fat cats leading these companies. Not to mention MP's claiming incredible wage increases and expenses. It is just sickening! New Labour has sucked the working people dry with unprecedented taxes, including false green taxes and the like and the people of this nation no longer have any faith in the credibility of this Government. This is a false New Labour Government who has sold its soul to the devil and doesn't care less about the struggles of ordinary working class people it is supposed to represent. This is a government, that has betrayed the working class people, it has neglected its own people to line its own pockets. It is truly shameful!
- Simon Icke, Aylesbury UK
Food should come out of their own salary and not as an extra expense. The ordinary public have to feed themselves out of the one wage or bring the food from home they pay there housekeepers or(wives) for out of their monthly high salary which is higher than ordinary people. They are paid too much as it is for what work they do and then employ 2 or 3 members of the family as well it should be wife only and not cousins or in-laws or children. Their pay award should be agreed by the public who pay for it and not by MPs themselves its no wonder they got 26% then refused the firemen 16% outright and then with catches included with the rise. Funny thing no clauses included with their straight payment. One lady MP when asked on a D Dimbleby program in Glasgow a couple of weeks later what was their pay rise was said she could not remember? With a memory as short as that she should not be in the job its no wonder there is so many boobs made if all their memories are like that.
- W,. Mcvicker, Ness,./ neston,. Cheshire
On the surface, Mr Field's comments make sense.
But, it may be the case that he can afford to have this view if he has private means and is a London MP.
Is this fair to MPs who aren't London based and do the job to which they were elected - being a member of Parliament, rather than having outside consultancies?
- Victor, london,UK
Nu Labor should all resign.
- Georgie, Islington, London
