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Taxpayers could pick up bill for MPs' free cars
Nicholas Cecil02.07.08
MPs may get free cars courtesy of the taxpayer, the Standard reveals today.
Commons authorities have proposed a scheme allowing MPs to lease cars from the House after some claimed they were unable to cover their vehicle costs at the current expense rate of 40p a mile.
In initial findings that do not give the go-ahead for the scheme, the members estimate committee today said politicians could either meet the cost of leasing a car themselves or it could be a "free" service offset by a reduction in another allowance.
The idea has been condemned by Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Norman Baker.
He said: "It's absolutely outrageous that any consideration whatsoever should be given to providing cars for MPs on the taxpayer."
A committee spokeswoman said the scheme may eventually be approved if it saves public money.
Matthew Elliott, chief executive of campaign group The Taxpayers' Alliance, said: "At a time when the Government is massively hiking taxes on cars, it's incredible that MPs are considering giving themselves free cars."
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MPs are no different to any other motorists in not being able to cover their car costs using the government's ludicrous 40p/mile rate. This has been deliberately unchanged by the Treasury (under Gordon Brown) for 6 years, yet in this time fuel has gone up by 50%. The AMAP (Approved Mileage Allowance Payment) rate should now be at least 55p/mile if it is meant to cover travel by car - or even by bus for that matter. Try taking a short journey by bus in London and see what this costs per mile....
- Bob Blackman, Fareham UK
Sadly it is not incredible that MPs are considering this possibility.They have their sticky little paws in the honey pot and will continue to stuff their faces with honey. Only when successful prosecutions are brought against MPs of the Conway, Winteron, Harman, Blunkett, Balls ilk and prison sentences awarded will their be a chance of their attitudes improving. Fear may change them, a sense of honour never.
- Peter Robinson, audierne france
When I had a company car I was taxed to death as the Inland revenue said it was a luxury and benefit in kind. As such I had a negative tax code. I was driving around 1100-1200 miles a week to do my job. I was also taxed because I had a fuel card. If these lying shysters want to have use of a vehicle then I expect them to be treated the same as I was.
- Duncan Walker, Ex Peckham now Samui Thailand
