MPs' expenses shakeup: Proposals published
- 00:02:40
- ITN
MPs' expenses shakeup: Proposals published
MPs should no longer be able to claim for their mortgages or employ family members at the taxpayer's expense, according to a standards watchdog report. It says any money made from capital gains should be paid back to the taxpayer, ending the controversial practice of "flipping" properties. The committee said politicians with constituencies within "reasonable commuting distance" of Parliament should no longer be able to claim for a second home. In future, MPs should only be able to claim for rent or hotel costs, utility bills, telephone line rental and calls, council tax, security, contents insurance and removals.The costs of cleaning, gardening, furnishings and other items would not be claimable. It said the practice of MPs employing members of their families should be brought to an end by the end of the next Parliament, or within five years. The chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, Sir Christopher Kelly, has said the proposals were "fair and reasonable" and would bring Westminster into line with other walks of life and other legislatures.
ITN | November 4, 2009
