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£1.4m five-star trips for globetrotting MPs
Ellen Widdup, Dominique Brady and Katrina Bishop7 Apr 2009
BACKBENCH MPs racked up almost £1.4 million of free trips last year with a further £1million of excursions already booked this year.
An Evening Standard investigation has found that the taxpayer is funding dozens of overseas "fact-finding" missions with many committee members staying in five-star hotels, flying first class and receiving a daily cash allowance to spend on "extras".
The news comes as the Committee on Standards in Public Life began its probe into MPs' expenses following a series of revelations that ministers have been spending lavish amounts on their second homes while living in taxpayer-funded flats.
Between April 2007 and April 2008, globetrotting MPs - many members of committees concerned with domestic policy - visited California, Washington and New York, Canada, Beijing, Bali, Bermuda and the Grand Cayman Islands. Documents prepared by select committee members have also revealed they have already booked excursions for this year and next, with 70 per cent of their allocated budget spent.
Trips include:
A £49,332 excursion to Ecuador and Peru to look at the cocaine trade for the home affairs delegation.
A visit to South Africa for the justice team looking at the role of the prison officer abroad for £48,051.
A £55,712 trip to Washington DC to look at social worker training by the children, schools and families team.
A £57,861 visit to New York by culture, media and sport to look at press standards and privacy laws.
A tour of Chicago, Washington and New York by the Treasury who want to examine the banking crisis first hand at a cost to the taxpayer of £59,043.
Flights and hotel bills will be covered in advance for those involved. An allowance will also be given to each MP to spend on meals and travel, based on a rate issued by the Foreign Office. MPs do not need to provide receipts for the money spent or return unspent allowances.
Matthew Elliott, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said the amount of money spent on overseas visits was "excessive" and likely to fuel the public outrage surrounding MPs' expense accounts.
It has been revealed that Alistair Darling claimed second-home payments on his Edinburgh constituency property and rented out his "main" home in London while living in government accommodation.
Geoff Hoon admitted he used a similar arrangement as defence secretary and Jacqui Smith was "mortified" to discover her expenses claims included payments for two adult movies watched by her husband, who earns £40,000 a year running her constituency office.
Mr Elliott said it was vital that MPs were seen to be cutting back on perks. "Every single parliamentary trip should be carefully scrutinised to see if it is really worthwhile," he said.
"Some trips may be justified, but too often it seems that they are a frivolous excuse to visit exotic locations. With a recession hitting everyone hard, MPs should cut back on the number and lavishness of these costly excursions.
"If they do need to go, then dropping from five-star to four-star hotels would be a sizeable saving without them suffering any great indignity."
Overall, select committee members spent £1,386,987 on oversees trips during the last session.
They included a visit by culture, media and sport to Tampa Bay, California, for an inquiry into violent video games and the internet at a cost of £45,123, and a £41,824 visit by the children, schools and families panel to Canada to look at its national curriculum and teacher training resources.
A Commons spokesperson said: "Select Committees provide cross-party, backbench scrutiny of Government policy. They conduct public inquiries
into a wide range of subject areas, which result in over 700 evidence sessions and nearly 400 reports in a typical year. Research trips are an
instrinic part of this, both within the UK and to other countries."
Reader views (30)
I read today the government are thinking of privatising the Royal Mint which will inevitably result in job losses for the poor souls who work there.
Pity we can't privatise this lot or at least make them work to a commercial ethos.
In a time when the UK debt levels are through the roof what is the point of spending 49K on a trip to look at the cocaine trade. What they going to achieve? I wouldn't put it past the charlatans to bring some Bob Marley back with them in their diplomatic bags and claim expenses for the extra luggage allowance!!!
- Danny, Sydney ex pat, 22/04/2009 03:58
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It is time to invite them all to leave
- An, london, 21/04/2009 23:12
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It is outrageous that these so-called "representatives of the people" (they really only represent themselves), should use the taxpayers' money to swan around the globe on some dreamt-up jolly. A completely independent watchdog should vet all these unnecessary expenses and if the watchdog finds that these greedy people have breached the spirit of the rules, each MP should be made to "PAY THE MONEY BACK". Wouldn't it really be a turn up for the books if any one of them admitted they had made an error and volunteered to refund the money!
- Ken Holmes, Swanmore U.K., 21/04/2009 16:08
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Our political system has gone to the dogs but with such a tawdry Government in office is it really a surprise.
The soon to be elected Conservative Government should immediately halve the number of MPs in London, Scotland & Wales.
We don't need the huge number of useless leaches that run around costing the tax payer millions.
Whist I'm the sooner we Gordon Brown is sent to the backbenches the better!
- Brian Church, London, 21/04/2009 16:04
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GREAT - they just don't get the message do they?
- Rosie, Tucson, Arizona, 07/04/2009 22:12
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With every breaking story each day regarding MPs and their dodgy claims/expenses we just become angrier and the politicians become more resolute. They dig their dirty little snouts deeper into their troughs believing that they are untouchable. They don't give a fig as regards public opinion with Jacqui Smith being a prime example of 'I've done nothing wrong and will keep my place in the sleazy sty of plenty'. My Dad would turn in his grave if he saw the corrupt joke that the Labour Party... NuLabour has become. Shame on them.
- Enough Greed And Sleaze, London, 07/04/2009 16:52
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Re. Carl of London. Great idea i for one will do exactly that.
- Alex., brighton, 07/04/2009 16:13
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All Labour supporters have been let down.Most of us are from the working class and will never vote for Conservatives.Their legacy lives on,as will Labours.Do not waste you vote,a Labour vote with do nothing,vote for third party,they can do no more damage,there is nothing left to destroy.Lets gamble and give are vote to the LDs.
- Carl, london, 07/04/2009 15:50
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MPs should be given a flat salary and expenses completely curtailed. The Majority of Parliamentary trips according to what has been published are entirely pointless. Bed and Breakfast, economy flights and maybe a limit on the number of trips including the duration per MP.
It would also be easier to pay £100k salary then to have a basic of £60k then claim a further £100k in expenses.
An MPs boarding house or serviced apartment complex should also be built providing MPS with the accomodation they need during the week.
Being in Politics is very expensive and sadly, if the individual finances are not available, it is also foolish to stand for election inorder to fail when it comes to expenses.
We should have fewer more highly paid MPs with performance contracts which may help transform the negativity surrounding parliamentarians.
It is an old debate but unfortunately, yesterday's problem cannot be solved with yesterday's solutions.
Politics and Politicians have moved on so we need to be realistic but in doing so get REAL VALUE.
The taxpayer has the right to question their work and what it costs to do it.However, continually downgrading MPS will mean that people who are capable of becoming an MP may choose to avoid the profession as a whole thus leaving us with the status quo.
- Chandila, London, UK, 07/04/2009 15:34
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Why is anyone surprised at yet another example of MP's ripping-off the hard-pressed taxpayer?
No wonder the UK is finished - the MP's are floating around the rest of the world (at Joe Publics' expense)- claiming all sorts of freebies on their hypocritical "expenses", all without the need to even dip into their £64,000pa salary.
The sooner the House of Conmen is reduced to rubble and the traitors of this once Great Britain are thrown into prison, the happier Joe Public will feel.
Third World UK.
Police State UK.
What a state.
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe/Lancaster, 07/04/2009 15:09
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"Smith" saya "That we need a review of MP expences", best way to review them is to get rid of them once and for all, we need a general election now. Country in debit for next 10 + years, poor old tories, what a hell they will have, still, some one has got to do it. At least they know about money, trouble is some of them on boards of companies down the swanny. They have my sympathy.
- Peter Smith, weymouth, dorset, 07/04/2009 15:02
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I have worked in some corrupt third world countries, but it appears the UK Government is among the most corrupt in the world from the recent issues I have seen. God help all you UK tax payers, you are being taken for a ride!!
- Kevin, Brisbane, Australia, 07/04/2009 14:48
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In this day of instant and interactive communications do we need any MP's? Would it not be better if we do feel we need them to go back to the old idea of the fact they do it part time on their own money and in the afternoon and evening after a "real" job?
- Alan Howard, Stanton st. Bernard, Wiltshire, 07/04/2009 14:46
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When will Jacqui Smith and her fellow Parasites realise that it is not just a matter of apologising and repaying a paltry sum for her husbands videos but their complete lack of integrity ,morals and any sense of decency and fairplay that really gets to the general tax paying public.By displaying a continual lack of any of these qualities ,they make it obvious to all that they are not fit to hold any responsible position in Government ,let alone represent anyone. Doing the right thing and resigning from office seems to be a thing of the past.None of them is keen to miss out on their ill gotten gains ,where else could they aquire such wealth with the abilities they possess.
- Ian Glen., Durham. England., 07/04/2009 14:40
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I would consider it money well spent if we bought one way tickets for each corrupt cabinet minister and sent him/her to outer Mongolia. In Smith's case I would even be willing to buy a couple of porn films for her husband to watch.
- R.F., Yorks, UK, 07/04/2009 14:29
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I would say Im shocked by this,but its an everyday occurrence,these rich overpaid thieves useing taxpayers money to finance their lifestyles.The Lib Dems are the peoples party,corruption must end and politics must be kept out of the hands of the stinking rich.
- David, london, 07/04/2009 14:16
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Its a complete joke. No morals and no brains. Get me on question time.
M
- Mark Malvisi, London, 07/04/2009 14:00
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As these MP's seem to be able to plan ahead with their exotic travel arrangements, I assume if they are prudent they will be taking advantage of the Travel Lodge £9.00 a night offering - but then, that is the boring old UK. Mind you, there are a few Travel Lodges in easy commute of Westminster. To easy, eh - who are the mugs here !!!!
- Don Elwin, Landeleau France, 07/04/2009 13:48
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Nu labor go away!
- Georgie, Islington, Londlon, 07/04/2009 13:37
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All Politicians should be serving the public, not self serving, if they did away with the foreign holidays and grandstanding globe trotting they might have some time to govern the country and have seen the depression coming.
- Roy Wylam, Farnham, 07/04/2009 13:15
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Our politicians are totally out of touch.
They see themselves as our rulers, NOT as our representatives.
While they gorge themselves on greed of all kinds, the folks they "represent" (sorry, trying to stifle a laugh at my own choice of word there!) look forward to unemployment, depressed wages, fear of repossession, and massive hikes in tax.
Time to get rid of career politicians. No standing for MP until 40, enforced retirement at 65, the wage of the average British worker, hostel accommodation in London, civil service employed researchers (NOT family members), and second class public transport for necessary journeys (not the journey to work - we all have to pay that out of our own pockets).
And can someone please tell me what their wages are for? They don't seem to need to spend any of those, quite unlike the rest of us!
- Frank O'Fyle, Le Havre, 07/04/2009 12:01
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And how many of these got preferential treatment from BA and then supported the madness of Heathrow expansion in the very teeth of massive health, safety and environmental concerns. Hypocritical rubbish - Politicians are rubbish - come on lets vote for independence.
- Christian Ball, London, UK, 07/04/2009 11:49
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Can we have details of who went to Bali!?? What on earth are they assessing there! Even within investment banks only very senior directors are allowed to fly 1st class and there are limits on hotel rates putting 5-star out of reach and thess are businesses that were generating profits over $1bn a year.
- Mark, London, 07/04/2009 11:40
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Make them stay in a cheap B&B, fly them economy and forbid the collection of airmiles. Then see how many MPs need to go on these important "fact finding" missions?
- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland, 07/04/2009 11:37
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"I am looking forward to the next election. Bye bye NuLabour."
Quite. Because I imagine not a single Conservative MP took part in any of these trips.
- Neil Yates, London, UK, 07/04/2009 11:30
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Apparantly labour are to rename themselves as the Jolly Boys Party, the Conservative are to rename themselves as The Club 18-30 party and Liberal Democrats as the Party Poopers!!
- P Holland, London, UK, 07/04/2009 11:12
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Trips could include interpreters,...and your MP's can't even speak another language. Then you should know that speaking English is the best way to be understood in any country......I speak 4 languages...can your MP's hire me please ?
- Terry. B, Toulouse, France, 07/04/2009 10:53
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"A tour of Chicago, Washington and New York by the Treasury who want to examine the banking crisis first hand at a cost to the taxpayer of £59,043."
You what? How much a whirlwind tour of RBS cost? Surely that would be much more "first hand"?
- Bob, Cheam, 07/04/2009 10:38
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I am looking forward to the next election. Bye bye NuLabour.
- Dave Davies, Basingstoke, 07/04/2009 10:18
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Why are we sick of labour? Another reason. Nice little holidays at our expense.
- Keith Price, Luton, 07/04/2009 10:05
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