MP's expenses claims ..

[Mk2Jo]

.... is this the straw that will break the camel's back? I have to say that some of the claims that have been made - by ALL parties it seems - are outrageous

 

Things like:

 

£380 for horse manure for David Heathcote-Amery's garden

£5704 for a portico for his house - David Davis

£1471 for cleaning pool & cutting grass - James Arbuthnot (my local MP)

£2020 for leaking pipe repair under tennis court - Oliver Letwin

£620 for installation of Chandelier & £1000 for oven servicing - Sir Michael Spicer

£3000 for a tv - unnamed MP!

 

And the Government & MP's want an urgent police enquiry into who leaked the information .... yes, I bet they do!

 

I for one, am happy to sign this petition to call for a general election. If you are too then sign this petition

 

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/GoToCountryNow/#detail

[lotusless]

these mp's have had it like this for donkeys years!!!

no wonder they want to keep it quiet, + i cant believe

it's THEM that fookin vote on it themselves. this should

be run by a independant office of uncoruptables (big word alert)

 

maybe we should call this lot.........

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Copey]

hehe the untouchables, awesome film

 

and yeah its not good, was watchin the news and all they complained about was who leaked the info and how the press got hold of it, bunch of nobs

[Stu_B]

Name & shame, it's our money & it's only right!

 

Stick 'em all on £20k a year so they can see how the rest of us live & the country will soon be sorted out

[SmokeEm]

I am of the view that this has been going on since parliment began. It's not the individuals at fault, more the system. I know if I was an MP, i'd claim for all I could too. Don't forget, it's a thankless job and isn't that well paid either (196k to the PM - I wouldn't do it for that!!)

I know this view will get me shot down by many but I am being honest - if they can get away with it, why not? I think the system should be changed. Pay the good ones decent dough & not allow expenses claims - all accounts, salaries and expenses etc should be visible to all yearly.

 

Now where's that £150 bottle of champagne I claimed for at Xmas

[johnny_h]

haha Jo! Did you think the government had our best interests at heart? General election? Revolution is what we need.

[Mk2Jo]

Johnny I don't think that ANY government will give us everything we want and Dave (Smoke em) I understand what you are saying about expenses ... everyone should be entitled to claim a certain amount but why should we pay for someone to have a nice garden or a swimming pool ... they are hardly "essentials for the job" and that is what makes me mad.

 

As for a revolution .... no thanks.

[4parajon]

Its absolutley scandalous, who else gets paid extra for having to go to work.

I'm not surprised there all up in arms about the leaks, its the only thing this bloody government is good at. There bound to resist change as they will be cutting there own throats. Needs to be totally transparent.

[SmokeEm]

Dave (Smoke em) I understand what you are saying about expenses ... everyone should be entitled to claim a certain amount but why should we pay for someone to have a nice garden or a swimming pool ... they are hardly "essentials for the job" and that is what makes me mad.

 

We shouldn't Jo, I agree. I'm just saying if you could get away with it, most people would do the same. All the Government are robbing gits anyway

[Smudger105e]

Surely, the current administration is the Labour Government, and these claims are being made by MP's from all political persuasions? Why are people on here targetting 'the Government', they should be targetting Members of Parliament.

[SmokeEm]

I can't wait for Scott's view on this.

 

His arguments and views are always well put and very balanced

[Mk2Jo]

Isn't the Government the ones who decide on what is allowable by making it law?

[FredTransit]

It doesn't matter who you vote for, the Government always gets in.

 

As for these ridiculous claims for second homes ect, I do not know of any other job or employer that allows an employee to claim and be paid for a SECOND home. You live where you live, and you go from there to work. If you have to move away from your family, tough. You can pay a small fortune to travel or you can pay rent on a flat near work. Either way, YOU pay it. Your choice, your responsibility, that's what salaries are for.

 

No company, no matter how large, and no job, no matter how well paid, will also pay rent or any other expenses on top of a salary in this day and age.

[Vista]

I disagree with you there Fred, there are plenty of jobs that will require an employees attendance in multiple locations (myself included). When this involves regular stays at one particular location, such as MP's attending parliament AND having a constituency remote from London, to provide allowances for 2nd homes is probably more cost effective than having them claim for hotel accomodation (which would also necessitate funding 3 meals a day out of the tax payers purse).

 

My job also requires me to travel and for short periods I am always accomodated in hotels and all my meals and travelling costs are also funded by my employer. There will come a time when I am required to be more permanently on site in Germany and at that time my employer will fund my accomodation (a flat or similar) my meals and travelling to and from work then revert to being my own responsibility.

 

I don't think it's unreasonable for MP's to be able to claim an allowance for 2nd homes when it is necessary for them to be in more than one constituency and as has already been pointed out, being an MP is not actually that well paid considering the weight of responsibility many senior MP's have. However there are a lot of things being claimed that are ridiculous so if all of those claims are within the current rules then it's high time the rules were changed and an independent body put in charge of policing it.

[richie_stix]

it's THEM that fookin vote on it themselves. this should

be run by a independant office of uncoruptables (big word alert)

 

to fookin right! how shit is that, it's them that vote on it... of course they are all going to vote on keeping fat, un-just expenses claims as the ALL do it!

 

[SmokeEm]

I disagree with you there Fred, there are plenty of jobs that will require an employees attendance in multiple locations (myself included). When this involves regular stays at one particular location, such as MP's attending parliament AND having a constituency remote from London, to provide allowances for 2nd homes is probably more cost effective than having them claim for hotel accomodation (which would also necessitate funding 3 meals a day out of the tax payers purse).

 

My job also requires me to travel and for short periods I am always accomodated in hotels and all my meals and travelling costs are also funded by my employer. There will come a time when I am required to be more permanently on site in Germany and at that time my employer will fund my accomodation (a flat or similar) my meals and travelling to and from work then revert to being my own responsibility.

 

I don't think it's unreasonable for MP's to be able to claim an allowance for 2nd homes when it is necessary for them to be in more than one constituency and as has already been pointed out, being an MP is not actually that well paid considering the weight of responsibility many senior MP's have. However there are a lot of things being claimed that are ridiculous so if all of those claims are within the current rules then it's high time the rules were changed and an independent body put in charge of policing it.

 

I knew you wouldn't let me down Scott

[FredTransit]

I disagree with you there Fred, there are plenty of jobs that will require an employees attendance in multiple locations (myself included). When this involves regular stays at one particular location, such as MP's attending parliament AND having a constituency remote from London, to provide allowances for 2nd homes is probably more cost effective than having them claim for hotel accomodation (which would also necessitate funding 3 meals a day out of the tax payers purse).

 

My job also requires me to travel and for short periods I am always accomodated in hotels and all my meals and travelling costs are also funded by my employer. There will come a time when I am required to be more permanently on site in Germany and at that time my employer will fund my accomodation (a flat or similar) my meals and travelling to and from work then revert to being my own responsibility.

 

I don't think it's unreasonable for MP's to be able to claim an allowance for 2nd homes when it is necessary for them to be in more than one constituency and as has already been pointed out, being an MP is not actually that well paid considering the weight of responsibility many senior MP's have. However there are a lot of things being claimed that are ridiculous so if all of those claims are within the current rules then it's high time the rules were changed and an independent body put in charge of policing it.

 

 

OK if you need to travel for a particular task or section of your contract, I can see there would be an allowance. If you go to say, Bradford for a week, does your firm pay for the hotel for a year? Do they allow you to get a set of tyres for your car cos you travelled there in it? Do they pay your rent or mortgage on your own home whilst you are away? I don't think so.

 

Well a friend of mine is in a relatively high up position in Aerospacial (Used to be British Aerospace) in Hamburg, and she was on a contract that paid most of her rent (for a 3 bed house in a good area), and if she had kids they would have their school fees paid too, when she moved those expenses were paid, she also used to get travel on the company jet (not private, with other employees) to the UK, all of this was of course on top of her very good salary.

 

As of later this year, she will have to go on a local contract. This will be a much better salary, but she will be responsible for all of her other expenses. Even huge multi nationals can't or won't offer these extras any more.

 

BTW I heard there was a whole block of accommodation opposite the Houses of Parliament that was purpose built for the MPs to live in when they are in town. They don't use it though, despite it being available at no charge. I say take all of their extras off them, and when it's finished with, make them stay in the Olympic village. If they don't like it, they can pay their own rent!

[pauln]

Just to change angle slightly has anybody got expense figures for the house of lords (the unelected gravy train). I does also seem that the wealthier you are to start with the better you are at taking the piss on expenses (cleaning the Moat is by far my favorite).

[Mk2Jo]

Just to change angle slightly has anybody got expense figures for the house of lords (the unelected gravy train). I does also seem that the wealthier you are to start with the better you are at taking the piss on expenses (cleaning the Moat is by far my favorite).

 

Yes, I noticed that too

[Vista]

OK if you need to travel for a particular task or section of your contract, I can see there would be an allowance. If you go to say, Bradford for a week, does your firm pay for the hotel for a year? Do they allow you to get a set of tyres for your car cos you travelled there in it? Do they pay your rent or mortgage on your own home whilst you are away? I don't think so.

 

No if you go somewhere for a week you will obviously be accomodated in a hotel at your employers expense (and rightly so) but if you have to stay there for 6 months they will probably rent you accomodation for that time. What's more, if that 6 months is not a continous time period then they may well elect to rent that accomodation for the full calendar year as it will likely still be cheaper than hotel (and food remember) for 6 months. Do the maths if you don't believe me, 6 months full board hotel accomodation at a fairly miserly £120 per night works out as over £21000 whereas renting a flat for say £800 per month for 12 months is only £9600.

 

Car mileage is another kettle of fish altogether, I usually hire a car whenever I'm travelling on company business. Others that use their own cars charge me a travel rate of between £0.40 and £0.50 per mile so yes they do charge for wear and tear and servicing as those rates are far in excess of the actual fuel costs.

 

Well a friend of mine is in a relatively high up position in Aerospacial (Used to be British Aerospace) in Hamburg, and she was on a contract that paid most of her rent (for a 3 bed house in a good area), and if she had kids they would have their school fees paid too, when she moved those expenses were paid, she also used to get travel on the company jet (not private, with other employees) to the UK, all of this was of course on top of her very good salary.

 

Well you're making my case for me with that argument.

 

As of later this year, she will have to go on a local contract. This will be a much better salary, but she will be responsible for all of her other expenses. Even huge multi nationals can't or won't offer these extras any more.

 

But the higher salary will offset her costs significantly and I'll bet she'll be a lot more careful about how often she travels and how pricey her transport medium is when she's responsible for her own expenses.

 

BTW I heard there was a whole block of accommodation opposite the Houses of Parliament that was purpose built for the MPs to live in when they are in town. They don't use it though, despite it being available at no charge. I say take all of their extras off them, and when it's finished with, make them stay in the Olympic village. If they don't like it, they can pay their own rent!

 

No idea if that's true or not, but I have my doubts.

[Guest cortinamad-gonetoo]

its because theyre all snobs and up their own arses

 

they are the higher clss etc

[Vista]

its because theyre all snobs and up their own arses

 

they are the higher clss etc

 

They're not meant to be, that's why it's called the House of Commons. The unelected House of Lords is where the real blue blood lives.

[Stu_B]

its because theyre all snobs and up their own arses

 

they are the higher clss etc

 

I have to agree with you there Dave. One thing that has really got to me with all the media coverage is the use of the term "The Public"!

 

We are the public, but it shouldn't be them & us :- like we're their pets or something

[FredTransit]

OK if you need to travel for a particular task or section of your contract, I can see there would be an allowance. If you go to say, Bradford for a week, does your firm pay for the hotel for a year? Do they allow you to get a set of tyres for your car cos you travelled there in it? Do they pay your rent or mortgage on your own home whilst you are away? I don't think so.

 

No if you go somewhere for a week you will obviously be accomodated in a hotel at your employers expense (and rightly so) but if you have to stay there for 6 months they will probably rent you accomodation for that time. What's more, if that 6 months is not a continous time period then they may well elect to rent that accomodation for the full calendar year as it will likely still be cheaper than hotel (and food remember) for 6 months. Do the maths if you don't believe me, 6 months full board hotel accomodation at a fairly miserly £120 per night works out as over £21000 whereas renting a flat for say £800 per month for 12 months is only £9600.

 

Car mileage is another kettle of fish altogether, I usually hire a car whenever I'm travelling on company business. Others that use their own cars charge me a travel rate of between £0.40 and £0.50 per mile so yes they do charge for wear and tear and servicing as those rates are far in excess of the actual fuel costs.

 

Well a friend of mine is in a relatively high up position in Aerospacial (Used to be British Aerospace) in Hamburg, and she was on a contract that paid most of her rent (for a 3 bed house in a good area), and if she had kids they would have their school fees paid too, when she moved those expenses were paid, she also used to get travel on the company jet (not private, with other employees) to the UK, all of this was of course on top of her very good salary.

 

Well you're making my case for me with that argument.

 

As of later this year, she will have to go on a local contract. This will be a much better salary, but she will be responsible for all of her other expenses. Even huge multi nationals can't or won't offer these extras any more.

 

But the higher salary will offset her costs significantly and I'll bet she'll be a lot more careful about how often she travels and how pricey her transport medium is when she's responsible for her own expenses.

 

BTW I heard there was a whole block of accommodation opposite the Houses of Parliament that was purpose built for the MPs to live in when they are in town. They don't use it though, despite it being available at no charge. I say take all of their extras off them, and when it's finished with, make them stay in the Olympic village. If they don't like it, they can pay their own rent!

 

No idea if that's true or not, but I have my doubts.

 

I was trying to make the point that by all means give an allowance, but it's got out of hand, I was making the comparison with paying for a hotel room year round and paying rent/mortgage for a second home year round, paying for furniture, in fact everything from a bath plug to manure for the garden. I am aware of paying for milage, but a better comparison would be buying you a car and putting fuel in it for a year, rather than paying you a milage allowance for the one trip with your car.

 

Also even Aerospacial will not pay expenses on top of a salary any more, they used to, but found it to be none too cost effective, as in why pay for the British to be brought over and keep them in a good style, when the Germans are already there. And no, in fact my mate's higher salary doesn't actually add up to the same, it's a lot less, which is why the company is making the change in the first place.

 

Ultimately what I am trying to say is there is no job that will pay as much on top of a salary that the MPs get. I am sorry, but they get a decent wage, and many get peripheral payments, like directorships. Let them pay for everything outside work like the rest of us do.

 

To add insult to injury, I believe these expenses are not taxable, which again is against what the rest of normal expenses are to anybody else in a regular job.

 

So to sum up, they get a decent wage, often have other jobs, get much of everything related to thier life outside work paid for, and do not pay tax on the extra expenses they get paid. How is this fair?

[pauln]

Just another thought, I don't get to claim expenses much in my job (it's amazing how other people will help you claim them right up to the limit) but I know people who know the game and will always claim the max. People claim money for their children from the taxpayer who could manage without it but just like expenses if you can claim it people have it. People come to this country, theres money available and they have it because if you can claim it you have it.

At the end of the day it's just a deeper trough MPs saw nothing wrong with getting their heads into it after all it's been going on for years but since we are all going to have to tighten our belts to ride out the global recession they can bloody well set an example and take a deep cut.