Lording It Up
The Sunday Times reported yesterday that members of the House of Lords are cliaming a £300 tax free daily allowance - even though they rarely speak or vote in the chamber.
Apparently a disgraced peer - Lord Truscott (52) - who made more than £120,000 by exploiting the 'old' expenses system - has taken advantage of the reformed system.
Which has allowed him to claim £14,100 - almost the maximum possible - despite failing to speak in the upper chamber for more than a year.
Provided that peers 'clock on' with Lords officials - they do not need to prove that they have done anything - far less a day's work.
The Sunday Times reports that Lord Truscott is one of a number of peers - who have claimed at or close to the maximum new daily allowance - while contributing little during the proceedings of the House.
What a waste of public money - at a time when public money is so scarce.
Under the old system, Lord Trusctott claimed £121,891 in allowances for overnight acccommodation in Lodon - while staying at his home in the capital.
He received £28,000 a year - more than most folks earn - by telling the Lords his main residence was a flat in Bath.
Lord Truscott used the money to maintain a £700,000 apartment he owns in Mayfair - a high-end London address.
Apparently a disgraced peer - Lord Truscott (52) - who made more than £120,000 by exploiting the 'old' expenses system - has taken advantage of the reformed system.
Which has allowed him to claim £14,100 - almost the maximum possible - despite failing to speak in the upper chamber for more than a year.
Provided that peers 'clock on' with Lords officials - they do not need to prove that they have done anything - far less a day's work.
The Sunday Times reports that Lord Truscott is one of a number of peers - who have claimed at or close to the maximum new daily allowance - while contributing little during the proceedings of the House.
What a waste of public money - at a time when public money is so scarce.
Under the old system, Lord Trusctott claimed £121,891 in allowances for overnight acccommodation in Lodon - while staying at his home in the capital.
He received £28,000 a year - more than most folks earn - by telling the Lords his main residence was a flat in Bath.
Lord Truscott used the money to maintain a £700,000 apartment he owns in Mayfair - a high-end London address.
