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Clegg plan would ban MPs' second-home cash claims

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Published Date: 10 April 2009
By Daniel Bentley
MPs would be banned from claiming expenses to buy second homes under plans put forward yesterday by Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg.
Amid renewed public anger at Commons allowance arrangements, he insisted MPs should no longer be able to make massive capital gains on property purchased with taxpayer support.

Under the proposals, they would only be allowed to claim for the rent on a second home, utility bills and council tax.

The moves would put a stop to MPs' claims to cover mortgage interest payments and items of furniture under their accommodation allowance, currently worth £24,222 a year. That figure would be "substantially reduced", while ministers with grace-and-favour properties would be prevented from claiming for a second home at all.

Many MPs have made thousands of pounds on taxpayer-funded second homes in the property boom since 1997.

Mr Clegg is understood to be looking at whether at least a portion of those profits should be reimbursed to the Treasury when properties are sold.





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  • Last Updated: 09 April 2009 9:02 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Liberal Democrats
 
1

For Scotlands Future,

Vote For The SNP 10/04/2009 01:19:45
Good start, but here are some other rules:

1) ALL MP's must designate their constituency home as their Main residence.

2) No MP who has access to a Grace and favour property may claim any ACA.

3) No MP whose constituency boundary lies within 50-miles of Westminster may claim ACA.

4) No MP who owns or has an interest in a property within 50 mile of Westminster, either directly or through a company or through a spouse, partner or child may claim ACA.

5) No MP, or any company they own or have interest in either through a spouse, partner or child, may derive income from a someone who claims ACA.

What I've written may not be legally water-tight, but you get the idea.
2

For Scotlands Future,

Vote For The SNP 10/04/2009 02:17:34
I'm sure Wufus, SMS, The Brain, etc, etc will all be relieved to learn that ALL the SNP MP's have their constituency homes designated as their main residences. It seems only Scottish Unionist MP's want to be regarded as Londoners.
3

steve 1511,

aberdeen 10/04/2009 06:28:48
all mps must return the wheelbarrows they use to transport our cash, that they have claimed on expenses
THERE WILL BE NO BOOM UNDER BROON
4

alanh,

ek 10/04/2009 11:08:09
how about adding in that NO expenses will be paid out without a valid receipt

We could also give them a list of what they can use expenses to buy and what we expect them to pay out their own salary.
For example we will pay for a basic TV but if they want entertainment centres and top of the range tvs they can pay for them themselves. Same for their tv package. Basic package off expenses, to keep up with the news but if they want more than that they pay for all of it off their wages
5

alanh,

ek 10/04/2009 11:09:56
another nice additition would be to ensure ALL jobs that WE pay for thru their expenses must be advertised and interviewed for so the best person, not just a relative or partner, get the job
6

Eve,

Scotland 10/04/2009 15:16:59
Can the goverment not reclaime thesee house that where bought useing the expences and use them to house MP's in flat shares!!!

I think my idea of buying a hotel our two and issueing a room to every MP affter they are elected is a better idea.

7

Alan B,

10/04/2009 16:35:31
It is simple. Expenses are to ensure someone living away from home is not out of pocket. It is not and should not be a way to supplement your income tax free.

That mps openly talk about expenses as being part of their income shows how corrupt the whole thing is.

 

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