All in the Family
The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) released figures during the week - which show that nearly 20% of all MPs still employ members of their family - using public money from their 'office' allowances.
The practice was widely criticised during the MPs' expenses scandal - but almost £3 million continues to be paid to family members - despite attampts by IPSA to tighten up the system.
The 136 MPs involved continue to pay salaries to ‘connected parties’ - and employ them in roles such as office manager, secretary, and parliamentary assistant.
But the practice is banned in other countries - Germany for example - for the obvious reason that it is against every principle of equal opportunities - and professional recruitment practice.
I can just imagine the selection process - at the end of which an MP has to decide between an 'external' candidate (assuming it gets that far) and the MP's significant other.
Everyone must be on 'tenterhooks' - wondering who will get the job.
The whole business is a farce and should be outlawed - in my view - because it is wide open to abuse and nepotism - with public funds picking up the tab.
More than 40 family members were paid £30,000 or above - six received between £40,000 and £44,999 - and those paying relatives include 27 of the new MP intake.
Sir Christopher Kelly - chairperson of the Committee on Standards in Public Life called for ISPA to look again at allowing the practice - amid fears that it could be abused.
"In our report the Committee recommended that MPs should no longer be able to employ family members at taxpayer’s expense. Although we heard plenty of evidence during our inquiry that many spouses and family members were doing a good job … we continue to be concerned about the potential for abuse – perceived or otherwise – which this creates and we hope that IPSA will keep this under review.’"
So far at least - IPSA doesn't appear to be listening.
The practice was widely criticised during the MPs' expenses scandal - but almost £3 million continues to be paid to family members - despite attampts by IPSA to tighten up the system.
The 136 MPs involved continue to pay salaries to ‘connected parties’ - and employ them in roles such as office manager, secretary, and parliamentary assistant.
But the practice is banned in other countries - Germany for example - for the obvious reason that it is against every principle of equal opportunities - and professional recruitment practice.
I can just imagine the selection process - at the end of which an MP has to decide between an 'external' candidate (assuming it gets that far) and the MP's significant other.
Everyone must be on 'tenterhooks' - wondering who will get the job.
The whole business is a farce and should be outlawed - in my view - because it is wide open to abuse and nepotism - with public funds picking up the tab.
More than 40 family members were paid £30,000 or above - six received between £40,000 and £44,999 - and those paying relatives include 27 of the new MP intake.
Sir Christopher Kelly - chairperson of the Committee on Standards in Public Life called for ISPA to look again at allowing the practice - amid fears that it could be abused.
"In our report the Committee recommended that MPs should no longer be able to employ family members at taxpayer’s expense. Although we heard plenty of evidence during our inquiry that many spouses and family members were doing a good job … we continue to be concerned about the potential for abuse – perceived or otherwise – which this creates and we hope that IPSA will keep this under review.’"
So far at least - IPSA doesn't appear to be listening.
