MPs' Expenses
Today's newspapers contain more intriguing reports about the long overdue reform of MPs' expenses.
Apparently the new chair of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA), Sir Ian Kennedy - has indicated that he will abandon several key reforms.
Firstly, existing MPs will be still able to profit from the sale of their taxpayer-funded second homes for the next five years - under IPSA's draft proposals.
Secondly, MPs will also will also be able to nominate which of their properties is their “main” and “second” home for expenses – which led to many abuses in the past.
Thirdly, MPs living within commuting distance of London will remain eligible to claim expenses for a second home - rather than having to travel to and from Westminster.
Fourthly, IPSA is also having second thoughts about whether MPs should be able to continue employing their wives and other family members - at public expense.
The decision to dilute several of the recommendations made originally by Sir Christopher Kelly is surprising - because all three main party leaders have urged IPSA to introduce Sir Christopher’s original proposals - in full and without delay.
IPSA has announced a five-week consultation period on its plans - the public will be able to have their say up until 11 February 2010 - through a dedicated web site
After the expenses scandal became headline news last year, the Prime Minister asked Sir Christopher, the chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, to review the system.
Sir Christopher Kelly produced a 144-page report and detailed recommendations - which were welcomed by all political leaders.
Westminster insiders suggested before Xmas that IPSA would seek to water down the original Kelly package of reforms - and their predictions have proved to be correct.
As ever, politics works in mysterious ways, but we will publish the dedicated web site address here - in due course - in case any readers want to make their views known.
Apparently the new chair of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA), Sir Ian Kennedy - has indicated that he will abandon several key reforms.
Firstly, existing MPs will be still able to profit from the sale of their taxpayer-funded second homes for the next five years - under IPSA's draft proposals.
Secondly, MPs will also will also be able to nominate which of their properties is their “main” and “second” home for expenses – which led to many abuses in the past.
Thirdly, MPs living within commuting distance of London will remain eligible to claim expenses for a second home - rather than having to travel to and from Westminster.
Fourthly, IPSA is also having second thoughts about whether MPs should be able to continue employing their wives and other family members - at public expense.
The decision to dilute several of the recommendations made originally by Sir Christopher Kelly is surprising - because all three main party leaders have urged IPSA to introduce Sir Christopher’s original proposals - in full and without delay.
IPSA has announced a five-week consultation period on its plans - the public will be able to have their say up until 11 February 2010 - through a dedicated web site
After the expenses scandal became headline news last year, the Prime Minister asked Sir Christopher, the chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, to review the system.
Sir Christopher Kelly produced a 144-page report and detailed recommendations - which were welcomed by all political leaders.
Westminster insiders suggested before Xmas that IPSA would seek to water down the original Kelly package of reforms - and their predictions have proved to be correct.
As ever, politics works in mysterious ways, but we will publish the dedicated web site address here - in due course - in case any readers want to make their views known.
