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Blears on defence over expenses
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Communities Secretary Hazel Blears has defended herself amid fresh questions over her expenses.
Speaking to reporters outside her house in Salford, Ms Blears insisted she had complied with all the relevant rules, but acknowledged the public "hate" the current expenses regime and said a group of "ordinary people" should be involved in drawing up the new system.
The backlash came after she admitted she did not pay capital gains tax on profit from the sale of a London flat.
Ms Blears sold the property in Kennington in August 2004 for £200,000, making £45,000 profit.
The flat had been designated as her "second home" under Commons rules, meaning she was able to claim back thousands of pounds in mortgage interest and running costs.
But the Salford MP confirmed she had not been liable for any capital gains tax - indicating that the flat was simultaneously registered with the taxman as her primary residence.
A spokesman for Ms Blears said: "Hazel has complied with the rules of the House authorities and (HMRC). No liability for capital gains tax arose on the sale of her flat in Kennington."
Capital gains tax is charged at 40% when you sell a property not regarded by the taxman as your main residence, meaning that Ms Blears could have been forced to pay out £18,000.
The news emerged after receipts leaked to the Telegraph revealed that Ms Blears received expenses towards three properties in a single year.
Reader views (6)
I wrote:
28 November 2007
Dear Hazel Blears
For some time I and other campaigners have been seeking to prevent the disgusting loss of wildlife habitat in Kew, Southport. Sefton Council’s latest push is to build of what may be the last green fields in the area of Blowick Moss. This is almost 50 acres of land that is utilised by many feeding and nesting birds and hold legally protected water voles in surrounding watercourses. There are many reasons why the council should not build on this land such as the rural infrastructure, no local children’s hospital facility, valid wildlife concerns, high risk toxic old landfill area and other feasible suitable places that have not been mentioned. The excuse the council are using to destroy this countryside is said to be “affordable houses” yet the local press recently stated that only some 23 out of around 650 proposed houses would come into the affordable bracket. Moreover, a car showroom is also being debated. Our council are acting like a rank dictatorship in this matter and will not listen. I believe that you helped to prevent the loss of land in Manchester recently for allotment users so can you have any impact herein? We have opposed the council and their supportive Libdems, who seem to care nothing for our disappearing eco-structure, for a long time. Our website has numerous links about this issue.
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I am still waiting for a reply.
Pat Regan: author of Dirty Politics and Save Southport Greenbelt Founder
- Pat Regan, southport, 10/05/2009 21:33
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The supercilious smile is finally about to be wiped off her face. Her behaviour on the front bench (and off it) is nauseating. She squirms around and shuffles from side to side, leaning backwards and forwards in an attempt to ensure she is "caught on camera". I have only one thing to sway to her "ON YOUR BIKE BLEARS"
- R.F., Yorks, UK, 10/05/2009 14:53
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Blears didn't complain about the system being 'wrong', nor understand the 'Public hatred' until the proverbial hit the fan.
Prior to that, it would appear that she - like most of our 'representatives' - had no sense of conscience or morals when it came to milking the 'system' for all it was worth.
Any fool knows that it's not only labour members involved, so the only way the Gov't can limit the damage - and let the public draw proper conclusions - is to ensure that the uncensored lists of claims from ALL representatives (MP's and 'Nobles')are published immediately, and that all unreasonable claims are repaid.
(Good to see that HMRC are now on the case).
- John, Dorset, UK, 10/05/2009 14:42
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Is this meant to wear us out/down? How many times can we exclaim shock and outrage? The current government is rotten from the top down and needs to be tipped onto the dung heap!
- Marianne (Uk National And Tax-Payer), SW France/London, 10/05/2009 12:54
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One rule for MP's and a different rule for Joe Public.
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe/Lancaster, 10/05/2009 11:24
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The supercilious smile is about the be wiped off her face pretty soon, and won't I enjoy seeing it happen.
- R.F., Yorks, UK, 10/05/2009 11:23
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