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MPs shun free London homes as expenses claims are put in the spotlight
Joe Murphy11 Feb 2009
Cabinet ministers are shunning free "grace and favour" homes following greater scrutiny of their Commons expenses claims.
Half of the flats and houses kept for ministers are lying empty, including apartments that have had hundreds of thousands of pounds spent on them.
The suspicion among critics is that greater scrutiny of MPs' expenses under Freedom of Information laws has caused the exodus, in particular the publication of claims for running second homes.
Before these disclosures, several ministers were believed to have pocketed expenses for running a second home while living free in a grace and favour home.
The disclosure came as Home Secretary Jacqui Smith faced continuing controversy over her decision to lodge in her sister's spare room in London while claiming £116,000 in expenses for running a second home.
The threat of an official investigation into her arrangements was lifted by anti-sleaze watchdog John Lyon last night.
The properties available as London residences for Cabinet ministers include three grand apartments in Admiralty House, Whitehall, which cost £100,000 a year to maintain; a £4million Belgravia house and the flats above 10 and 11 Downing Street.
But not one Cabinet minister has taken up residence in Admiralty House, which was extensively refurbished when John Prescott and Margaret Beckett lived there rent-free.
Only a junior minister in the Lords, Lord Malloch-Brown, has moved into the spacious flats, which occupy historic quarters close to No 10 and the Cabinet Office.
Ms Smith was entitled to move into the imposing six-bedroom house in South Eaton Place, Belgravia, which was traditionally set aside as a secure home for the Home Secretary of the day but is now up for sale on the open market.
Some critics have alleged that she may have declined it because a free home would have undermined her case for claiming her family home in the Midlands was a "second home" for which she claimed expenses.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband uses the official residence at 1 Carlton Gardens for meetings but not for residential purposes.
The only Cabinet ministers enjoying free London accommodation are the Prime Minister, who took over the penthouse created by Tony Blair above 11 Downing Street, and the Chancellor, who moved into Margaret Thatcher's more modest old flat above No 10. They also have the use of country mansions, as does the Foreign Secretary.
Senior ministers privately admit the exodus from London homes is mainly driven by the fear of being exposed to political controversy.
"These are toxic perks now that nobody dares accept," said one minister.
Reader views (15)
I could weep. As a working single parent to 2 kids I raise a family on £1000 a month. Where are the morals? How do these people sleep at night?
I have written to my MP Kali Mountford several times over the years. The only reply I received was an acknowledgement from her secretary. It's time we ditched these parasites. Every penny these greedy people have claimed should be recovered.
The government should buy a cheap block of flats furnished to a minimum and make them live there.
- Tim, Leeds, 31/03/2009 00:17
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Ray, Sidney sad but true.
- Ebin Donk, angus scotland, 19/02/2009 18:38
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As an ex pom I saw the writing on the wall years ago. The UK is now a cesspit of greed, corruption and gross stupidity, full of bedbugs (poiticians) who have not the vaguest idea of what they're doing.
And to top it all, you're the laughing stock of the world.
Rule Brittania? Yeah right.
- Ray, Sydney, 12/02/2009 03:03
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may i invite the fat cats of banking, industry and the politicians to pause from their feasting high on the hogs back to read a little history; the french revolution, the Russian revolution and a multitude of other such events triggered when the desperate masses turned on the arrogant, corrupt and greedy might prove food for thought.
- M.O'Brien, london.uk, 11/02/2009 17:46
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How on earth can she live in those tiny houses behind her?
- Brian, Wiltshire, 11/02/2009 17:27
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Peter, London
I predict there will be riots on the streets of London in the not too distant future, due to the corruption that we are having to witness day in day out by these parasites who have been elected to dictate to us.
As for this "madam 2 homes" she should be in the dock answering a few questions.
- Denise, London UK, 11/02/2009 16:32
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Make them stay in hotels, like the rest of us who travel for business. There are loads of hotels around Westminster. I'm sure they could negotiate a "great rate" with some of them, doubtless double the normal rate, but that would be better than them trousering £100k a year in fraudulent expenses.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland, 11/02/2009 16:28
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What exactly were John Lyon's reasons for denying an enquiry into Jacqui Smith's fraudulent claims for expenses? On whose instructions did he halt investigation? As a tax payer I demand to know if and how my contributions are being mis-used. Smith should be sacked - she is the most incompetent, arrogant home secretary we have ever had. Her inability to deal with the problems of illegal immigrants has left this country in a most vulnerable position.
- R.F., Yorks, UK, 11/02/2009 14:54
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No one in their right mind would choose to live in Peckham if Belgravia was on offer. I'm sure there is no rational London breathing who would argue with that. Which is proof in itself the little madam was up to no good and what's more that she knew it.
- Sarah Bradshaw, Enfield, Middx, 11/02/2009 14:33
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So all this greed while old English people are being starved to death.
This is how Mugabe kills old Zimbabwean people http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/feb/11/zimbabwe-secret-film why are we wasting good soldiers on the useless Afhgan war why are we not sending them to Zimbabwe? While Brown kills old English people silently,in their homes, by reducing the interest rates so low that their income has gone and so they going without essentials like heating and food. Last year 40,000 English people died of cold - more than any other European counttry. Brown is killing them on purpose. Do something about it now, for God's sake. These people brought this country through the war and stopped totalitarianism in its tracks and we treat them like this? Iceland people are sending wamr clothese because they have heard about the terrible plight of English pensioners. Why is there no outrage here? Why are you not covering this silent murder of your fellow man? Is there no one reading this who can do something about it?
- Peter, London, England, 11/02/2009 13:58
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'Halls of Residence maintained for MP's', where they are required to stop whilst on 'business' in London are the answer.
No expense claims allowed for free accomodation, and an Income Tax Code reduction for this 'perk', the same as any other job.
If they choose not to live in this secure free accomodation, then they shouldn't be able to claim expenses for other accomodation.
This would free up dozens of idle 'guard' police to deal with street crime.
- Cap, London, 11/02/2009 13:58
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How these Nu Labor guys can be getting away with all this, it is incredible.
- Georgie, Islington, London, 11/02/2009 13:36
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Typical, these people don't mind sleeping on the floor of somebody's grotty flat as long as they get money. What a despicable lot.
- Chris, London, 11/02/2009 13:06
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Hope her sister's tax returns show her added income!
- Charles, London, 11/02/2009 13:03
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The fact that Smith lives in Peckham surrounded by armed police is wasting tax payers money as the costs of policing would be far lower in the Gov' house she was offered near Eaton Square where armed police guard various embassies anyway. I am for the instant forgetting any ulterior motives for living in Peckham
- Jack Spratt, Richmond, England, 11/02/2009 11:43
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