MPs' Expenses
MPs' expenses are back in the news again.
But this time because our elected representatives are complaining about being held too closely to account by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA).
IPSA was set up in the wake of the MPs' expenses scandal - and has introduced a new and much tougher regime - which MPs don't like one little bit.
The Leader of the House of Commons - Sir George Young - has released a highly critical statement of IPSA - here's an extract of what he had to say:
''I believe that the current expenses scheme, as designed, implemented and administered by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, is failing in many respects adequately to support MPs to undertake their responsibilities.
''There are some highly unsatisfactory features of the scheme that are at best distracting, and at worst impeding, MPs from doing their jobs.
''In addition, some aspects of the new regime are in danger of deterring people from less affluent backgrounds from becoming - and in some cases remaining - Members of Parliament and are also placing undue pressure on some MPs' family lives".
What a load of old tosh - what exactly does the Leader of the House mean - because he provides no evidence or examples to back up his complaints?
The real problem is that MPs don't have an employer or boss - in the normal sense - who oversees what they do and ensures that they follow the 'rules'.
In fact there are precious few rules - which is why some MPs are allowed to go swanning about - doing other paid work - instead of earning the salary for their day job.
But this time because our elected representatives are complaining about being held too closely to account by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA).
IPSA was set up in the wake of the MPs' expenses scandal - and has introduced a new and much tougher regime - which MPs don't like one little bit.
The Leader of the House of Commons - Sir George Young - has released a highly critical statement of IPSA - here's an extract of what he had to say:
''I believe that the current expenses scheme, as designed, implemented and administered by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, is failing in many respects adequately to support MPs to undertake their responsibilities.
''There are some highly unsatisfactory features of the scheme that are at best distracting, and at worst impeding, MPs from doing their jobs.
''In addition, some aspects of the new regime are in danger of deterring people from less affluent backgrounds from becoming - and in some cases remaining - Members of Parliament and are also placing undue pressure on some MPs' family lives".
What a load of old tosh - what exactly does the Leader of the House mean - because he provides no evidence or examples to back up his complaints?
The real problem is that MPs don't have an employer or boss - in the normal sense - who oversees what they do and ensures that they follow the 'rules'.
In fact there are precious few rules - which is why some MPs are allowed to go swanning about - doing other paid work - instead of earning the salary for their day job.
