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MPs to clock in to Commons like car workers
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor21.04.09
MPs could vote on scrapping their second home allowance within days under surprise plans unveiled by Gordon Brown today.
Those who live “within a reasonable distance” of Westminister will see the £24,000-a-year perk axed and replaced by a flat-rate supplement of £7,500 a year.
MPs who live outside London will get a daily allowance based on attendance, effectively forcing them to “clock in” like factory workers.
Ministers and backbenchers currently do not have any checks on their workrate, with some attending the Commons three days a week.
The changes will effectively force MPs in and around outer London to commute to work from their constituency, ending years of a system where they kept a separate taxpayer-funded home in the centre of the capital.
No 10 said that government ministers would be expected to vote for the changes but backbenchers would have a free vote. Tory leader David Cameron said that the plans, which could be rushed through the Commons next week and come into force by 1 July, were a “big U-turn”.
But Mr Cameron and Lib-Dem leader Nick Clegg warned that they had doubts about the idea of replacing the second home allowance with a flat-rate daily payment to reward MPs “just for turning up to work”.
Downing Street claimed that the reforms would “reduce the cost to the taxpayer”. Labour backbencher John Mann put the figure at £20 million.
Both Labour and Tory MPs could rebel over the plans, as many would stand to lose substantial sums currently used to pay their mortgages.
However, some critics claimed that there would be big winners as well as big losers under the new scheme. Those who have paid off their mortgage on a London flat or man and wife couples could gain by claiming the maximum daily rate.
Among the proposals were:
● Ministers in grace-and-favour flats and houses would not be able to claim the daily allowance.
● MPs' staff would be employed by the House of Commons, not by individual members.
● MPs with jobs outside Parliament would have to publish full details of how much they were paid.
● Full receipts for expenses for office costs, travel and communications will have to be provided, including those under £25.
One Labour backbencher said that the plans were a “knee-jerk” response and did not make sense, while some Conservatives saw the proposals for second jobs as a trap for the shadow cabinet.
Mr Brown said that the changes would make the system “simpler and less generous” He said it was vital to take immediate action to restore confidence that MPs were there to “serve the public and not there to serve themselves” and warned MPs they needed to show “humility”.
An inquiry into MPs' pay and perks by the committee on standards in public life has already been brought forward but the Prime Minister said faster action was needed.
The chairman of the committee, Sir Christopher Kelly, said: “It is no surprise to me that the political parties want to deal with this themselves. The headlines continue and the prospect of publishing receipts in July makes this a very damaging issue for them.”
Porn, plugs and second homes
GORDON Brown acted today after a string of expenses scandals.
The most damaging has been the revelation that Jacqui Smith's husband used taxpayer's money to pay for two pornographic movies to watch.
The Home Secretary is also being investigated by the parliamentary commissioner for standards over her claim for nearly £140,000 in second home allowance.
She said her main home was a house that she shares in London with her sister, letting her claim the cost of the family home in Worcestershire, down to the 88p bath plug.
London Minister Tony McNulty is also being investigated by the standards watchdog for claiming tens of thousands of pounds to pay for a house in Harrow where his parents live.
Chancellor Alistair Darling, Housing Minister Margaret Beckett and Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon have also faced criticism for using taxpayer's money to pay for a second home while living in a grace-and-favour residence in London and renting out a flat in the capital as well.
Labour MPs Ann and Alan Keen, dubbed “Mr and Mrs Expenses”, have billed the taxpayer for more than £200,000 in second home allowance over seven years.
Tory MPs Sir Nicholas and Ann Winterton were claiming up to £21,600 a year to rent a flat they had bought and put into a family trust. They are said to have claimed £165,000 to rent the property, despite having paid off the mortgage.
Reader views (36)
Politicians = liars = greed. End of.
- Trevn, Abu Dhabi
The clocking in system is wide open to abuse and our money will continue to enrich their lifestyles.
- Flora, Finchley
What about the staggering abuses by MEPs and Commissioners in the European Parliament? These are even greater, even less transparent, taxfree and even more breathtaking than those at Westminster - but of curse the EU makes over 80% of our laws so it is effectively controlling the MPs in our own increasingly irrelevant Parliament. And of course we cannot reform the European Parliament, or even regulate the way UK MEPs act.
- Damian Hockney, London, UK
"MPs to clock in to Commons like car workers"!!??
It will never happen!!......Nice thought though!
.........A bit like turkeys voting for xmas,.....As if!
What the numpties that govern us have ignored is the fact that the globe has reached the limit to growth, and ignored the global population explosion.
They are trying to apply 18th century politics to a 21st century !
Remember, the numpties that supposedly govern us had their ideas and plans formed in the 1960s, hardly the ideal thnking for the 21st century,.....What:?
Ah well, why worry,......let nature take it's course!
See y'all in hell,.....Unless we are already there??
GERONIMO
- Geronimo, LONDON MIDDLESEX
They will get 26 thousand pounds the same as the second home expenses but without having to put any receipts in to save any embarrassment.It's just another Micky take of the Electorate.It really is a joke!!!
- Mark A, Warrington England
Why are the out-of-London MPs not given rent free State own flats for short term use in London for the rare times they go to Parliament ? No fiddles then.
Good idea to have their staff employed by Parliament too.
- Michael, Kensington, UK
Why not have them vote on this as a provisional system while awaiting for the more detailed report from the committee? It would at least show a contrition sadly needed in this sordid affair.
Will someone please also explain to me why MP's are allowed second,third,fourth etc jobs while continuing to draw their full salary and perks entitlements. The rubbish about them keeping in touch with the outside world simply doesn't carry water. They should have done that before they were selected and became MPs.
- John Emsley, Meillac France
Another Brown smoke and mirrors stunt on the eve of the Budget without any real substance as usual, This was put forward by David Cameron weeks ago and Brown dithered on it until he saw his ratings, plummeting. Brown reckons leadership is following the mob. Someone must has stuck a pin in his rear end again to wake him up. He could not have thought this up on his own. But like electric cars it will all be over by Friday. Put in a drawer and forgotten. NEXT? Free TV for the under 2's? Twenty-five new battleships? Fox hunting every February 31st? The three pound coin? It's the way he tells 'em.
- Albert Hall, hove england
grand, about time, just as long as it's not so much smoke and mirrors. a man wouldn't trust the machinations of one who has ambition to be an ' honourable member' and the vain glory of he that would lead is even more of a dubious distinction.
- M.O'Brien, london.uk
Do I smell the whiff of a forthcoming election in the air that has prompted Gordon to act like a scalded cat! It's a shame he didn't give immediate attention to the other calamities that he has himself has allowed to happen on his watch which have deprived the hard working electors of £0000's already and will keep costing us for years to come. Hopefully tomorrow we will have some idea what our bill is going to be for his incompetance and it's bound not to be pleasant.
- John, Leighton Buzzard, Beds
Bart - or is it Wayne, Val or Keith? - the reason we are all so cynical is because this "solution" from Gordon Brown is a typical sticking plaster that gets headlines but fails to address the injury that has been done to the democratic process by the trough-dredgers at SW1.
Whenever the government is in trouble, they kick and scream that nothing is wrong until they are backed into a corner. They then come out with all guns blazing hoping that we will forgive them for their past sins because they are now repentant.
I bet the residents of the Commons are already working on ways to exploit the new rules.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland
A reward 'just for turning up to work' - erm, how do they think normal people get paid? If we don't go to work, we don't get paid, let alone a bonus 'just' for doing so!
Do these MPs even understand the people they're meant to represent?
- Jane, London
There is no way any of them will vote cuts like the proposed through. Not Labour, Tories or Liberals, None of them! They believe with all their hearts they are entitled to them and will resist all attempts to reduce their GRAFT.
- Les, uk
Does this now make them immune from prosecution for their past misdeeds and misrepresentations?
- Bingham Macnamara, lymington, hampshire
Lets do the decent thing. How does one ask the Revenue and Customs to investigate these claims. How do you find information in respect of taxes paid, wether it is on receipt of second home rent, i.e Jaquie's sister, or for capital gain when the second home is sold, or is all this burried? It is not just the claiming of allowances, but potential tax avoidence. If I did this the revenue would fine me thousands. If Brown is serious about tax dodging being closed in the budget as per his legal leaks then he could start with his mates. But as usual we will probably have a lot of hot air but no action.
- Alan, carlisle uk
If MPs have second jobs they should get a pro-rata MP's salary because clearly they are not working full time as an MP. If they want a job just for the salary they should go look elsewhere and not run for parliament.
MPs should be selected from people who live locally (so no additional costs required for having a house in their constituency). All MPs should go to Westminster 4 days a week (7.5 hours a day) and 1 day a week spent in their constituency. Anyone who doesn't do this will, again, be paid pro rata. As these MPs can't be trusted they should be forced to clock in and clock off and a register kept of their attendance in the Chamber and on Select Committees - any one failing to meet a set (high) standard will receive warnings and 3 warnings means they are dismissed - this is what happens in the real world and we should expect no less from our MPs.
Non commuter belt MPs should get 2nd class train fare costs and costs to cover a basic hotel. If they want to travel 1st class or stay in expensive hotels they can pay the difference from their own salary.
- Andy, london
So much sneering and cynicism. Gordon has acted fast to stop this unfortunate loophole. Now let's draw a line under it and move forward going forward. The government deserve our support for saving the global economy and lo I can smell the first green shoots of recovery - vote Labour!
(er is that all right Gordon?)
- Bart, London, UK
They have "clocking in" in Brussels. MEPs are paid a sum for attending the European parliament. All many of them do is sign in, collect the money and leave.
- Kevin T, Beckenham, Kent
All the costs for illegal houses, flats and holidays, gipped from the powerless public during the entire reign of this labour government, should be thoroughly investigated and when averice is exposed, measures taken to recover the money, which should then be reinvested in what it was collected for -- schools, roads, hospitals, infrastructure, i.e. caring for the paying public.
- Hilary, Germany
Far too little from a PM who could fire Smith Hoon McNulty & Becket from the Cabinet until they are given a clean bill of health though the Standards Commissioner drags his feet so slowly that we shall have had an election and they wsill all have been voted out by then.Nice if retrospective legislation could get them prosecuted.
- P Doff, filey yorks
I'll believe the scumbag scot the day when the first MP is treated like the rest of us, and prosecuted for theft. Like never,
- Lezli Taubler, London / UK
Why has it taken him to so long? This is ruse to overhsadow the terrible news that will be in the Budget and to sideline the Chancellor, Alistair Darling, who has refused to follow his instructions.
Now he want this debated right in the middle of the Treasury debate about the Budget, just to get back in the headlines.
the sight of his poor tortured face on YouTube - really - just go Mr Brown!
- Sheila Jones, Evesham, Worcs
Our MPs are making a mint out of us while they wag their fingers at the City and tell public workers that there pay has to be linked to RPI.The Treasury should set their pay and expenses like it does for the rest of the public sector.Representing the electorate should be about conviction and integrity not just a great career move for
individuals to feather their own nests.
- Andy, London
Whatever they decided to do, it is too to regain our trust in you.
- Max, Isleworth
It is amazing that these enquiries can take so long.To claim that "we have broken no laws"is to take the same attitude as a diving footballer or a batsman who refuses to walk.Sadly it is much more serious and indicative of greater weakness.Politicians claim to be honourable and are law makers but this contemptible behaviour lowers them to the level of petty criminals.
- P Doff, filey yorks
NO DOUBT BY THIS STANDARD OF MPS INVESTIGATING THEIR OWN EXPENSES THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM WILL BE REFORMED WITH THOSE CHARGED WITH A CRIME WILL PROVIDE THIR OWN JURY AND PROSECUTING COUNCIL, ULTIMATELY JUDGES COULD BE APPOINTED FROM THE CRIMINAL CLASSES.
IF ALL THOSE DETAILED IN YOUR ATICLE TRIED TO DRAW SUCH EXPENSES IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR THE INLAND REVENUE WOULD SIMPLY TAX THEM AS EARNINGS.
ONE MP I HAVE HEARD SUGGESTED EVEN LIVES IN HER SISTERS HOUSE, ANOTHER HAS HIS SECOND HOME NEXT DOOR TO THEIR MAIN RESIDENCE, OH COME ON, RESIGN THE LOT OF YOU, OR BE THROWN OUT AT THE NEXT ELECTION. NO MATTER WHAT PARTY , OTHER THAN YOURSELVES, YOU REPRESENT.
- Alan Green, Woodford Green
Too little to too late, I live in Isleworth with Ann Keen is our MP, if she thinks that she will win the seat - she is in for a shock, I for one will be campaigning not for a seat but to oust her based on the amount of money she has ripped of the tax payer - considering most people who work in the city commute and do not claim expenses for second homes.
This woman shows no humility in her post, as does he husband
- Raminder Bhalla, Isleworth
When Jacqui Smith is kicked out of office at the next election she can retire to her "main" home in her sister's spare room and the house in Redditch, which tax payers have paid for and furnished, can be sold and the proceeds returned to the public. All loopholes must be closed and the rules tightened so that MPs can never again claim for pornographic films at tax payers' expense.
- R.F., Yorks, UK
Why do they need daily allowances to go to work ? We all know that they get paid ! Maybe the spin-off will be that all the real working folk of this country will get daily allowances as well, to get themselves to and from work - and likewise taxfree !
- Aliruadh, lairg
So MPs will vote on any changes - so any change which means they will lose money will be voted down - no other public sector is allowed to determine their salaries they are all determined by independent bodies. This would be like turkeys voting for Christmas unless the changes meant that the MPs would be better off!
- Andy, london
I think we'll believe it when we see it! How about sorting out the civil service whilst you're at it, getting rid of the "non-jobs"?
- Bob, Cheam
We shall look forward to seeing this much publicised enquiry. Like most things with Labour, the report will be non conclusive, no one will be held to account, and the whole matter will be swiftly swept under the carpet.
- Maya, London
That's right Gormless Brown, grab a headline or three with your latest spin and waffle, in an attempt to con Joe public regarding MP's expenses.
I am positive the millions of pensioners in the UK who are struggling to keep warm and buy sufficient food every week out of GBP130.00 maximum pension, will not be amused to learn that Brown intends to replace the Second Home Allowance with a flat-rate DAILY FEE of GBP170.00 for every MP who attends the House of Conmen.
It follows, if an MP actually attends every session of parliament they will get MORE than the current GBP24,000 p.a. Second Home Allowance.
Can you just visualise the likes of MISS PIGGY SMIFF and KEEN and others of that ilk voting AGAINST the Second Home Allowance?
Pigs might fly.
I bet that NOTHING WILL CHANGE in regard to MP's expenses. Their snouts are superglued to the trough.
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe UK
More a case of 'horse' and 'bolted'.
They think we're stupid - perhaps they're right?
- Roz, France
Bet they vote themselves a large pay rise to compensate.
- Jeremy E, London
A daily allowance for MPs living outside London - What if they are not in London for that day will they get it anyway?
London MPs would get a flat-rate supplement - Why? For what?
£200,000 in second home allowance? Surely that should simply read for a second home.
Who the hell is going to believe Labour anyway? Cant wait for the list of promises to break in their election manifesto.
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
