Golden Goodbyes
Westminster MPs are back in the headlines thanks to the recommendation by IPSA (Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority) that Westminster MPs should receive a big 11% pay increase - boosting their salaries to over £74,000 a year.
IPSA justifies its proposals by saying that the cost of MPs will remain neutral because elf other reforms - such as the removal of old discredited practices such as the payment of 'golden goodbyes' to MPs who lose their seats at general elections.
Yet, I fail to see the connection between the two things - MPs deserve no credit or pay rise for simply getting rid of practices which don't exist in other walks of life, so while there's a debate to be had - this is not the way to win friends and influence people.
Golden Goodbye for MPs (30 October 2010)
MPs who resigned or lost their seats at the general election received more than £10.3 million in controversial 'golden goodbye' payments - on top of their already generous pensions.
The maximum payment is one year of an MP's salary - £64,766 at the last election - the first £30,000 of which is tax free.
And dozens of MPs who were caught out making ludicrous expenses claims - have benefited from this windfall.
Including, for example, Margaret Moran - the former Labour MP for Luton South - who claimed £22,500 on dry rot at her seaside house - a hundred miles from her constituency
A total of 220 politicians received the payouts - which have to be claimed by MPs - as opposed to being paid automatically.
Sir Alistair Graham, the former public standards chief, condemned the payments saying:
"I am sure there will be continued public anger that MPs seem to want to continue to milk the system even though they know it will strengthen public feeling about previous abuses of public funds.
Martin Bell, the former independent MP and anti-sleaze campaigner, said:
"I do not see there is any justification in paying those who are standing down. They have got a pension anyway. There is no cause for a payment for an MP who is standing down, none whatsoever.
The House of Commons authorities explained that the grant is intended to assist ex-MPs - with the transition back into a non-parliamentary life.
Former Labour ministers received severance pay when they left office - this group alone received more than £1 million of the total.
So, there you have it - how the other half live.
And just be relieved that if Ann Widdecombe falls on her arse - during tonight's episode of Strictly Come Dancing.
She'll have a big fat financial cushion to break her fall - and help her make the 'transition back into non-parliamentary life'.
The maximum payment is one year of an MP's salary - £64,766 at the last election - the first £30,000 of which is tax free.
And dozens of MPs who were caught out making ludicrous expenses claims - have benefited from this windfall.
Including, for example, Margaret Moran - the former Labour MP for Luton South - who claimed £22,500 on dry rot at her seaside house - a hundred miles from her constituency
A total of 220 politicians received the payouts - which have to be claimed by MPs - as opposed to being paid automatically.
Sir Alistair Graham, the former public standards chief, condemned the payments saying:
"I am sure there will be continued public anger that MPs seem to want to continue to milk the system even though they know it will strengthen public feeling about previous abuses of public funds.
Martin Bell, the former independent MP and anti-sleaze campaigner, said:
"I do not see there is any justification in paying those who are standing down. They have got a pension anyway. There is no cause for a payment for an MP who is standing down, none whatsoever.
The House of Commons authorities explained that the grant is intended to assist ex-MPs - with the transition back into a non-parliamentary life.
Former Labour ministers received severance pay when they left office - this group alone received more than £1 million of the total.
So, there you have it - how the other half live.
And just be relieved that if Ann Widdecombe falls on her arse - during tonight's episode of Strictly Come Dancing.
She'll have a big fat financial cushion to break her fall - and help her make the 'transition back into non-parliamentary life'.
