MPs facing housing allowance cuts as they live so close to Westminster (From News Shopper)

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MPs facing housing allowance cuts as they live so close to Westminster

3:11pm Wednesday 2nd July 2008

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TWO MPs could have the allowance they use to pay for their second homes cut because their constituencies are so close to Westminster.

A review by the House of Commons Members Estimate Committee has recommended the allowance to cover travel and housing costs for when MPs go to Parliament should be cut in half for those with outer London constituencies.

Beckenham MP Jacqui Lait and Bromley and Chislehurst MP Bob Neill both have houses out of the borough which they consider their main homes.

They have been claiming the Additional Costs Allowance to pay for second homes in their constituency, which are within 12 miles of Parliament.

In 2006/7, all MPs outside inner London could claim up to £22,110.

Mr Neill claimed £21,222 and Mrs Lait claimed £15,301 for their constituency homes.

Before the review, Mr Neill said the money was claimed to pay for mortgage costs, removal costs and stamp duty on his Chislehurst home.

He said: "What I think is important is a reform of the system.

"I have no problem with tightening up the system.

"It would be better for an independent body to decide."

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MurrayB, SE says...
4:18pm Wed 2 Jul 08

How the hell is it LEGAL or moral for this sort of thing to happen. They are a couple of miles for where they are supposed to work and still feel the need to dip their snouts.

If its commutable, they should just be made to get on with it like the rest of us !

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Harry Brown, Bromley says...
5:27pm Wed 2 Jul 08

This 'second home' business came, I believe, from the 'need' for MPs to have somewhere close to Westminster for them to stay when they are taking part in late-night debates or votes. It was said it would be unreasonable for an MP from Yorkshire or Scotland to stay in Parliament until the small hours and then not have anywhere to go to relax or sleep. However, the second home allowance is clearly being manipulated at best by some MPs and downright abused by others. If the rules were changed so that all MPs have to live in the constituency they represent then the problem would largely be solved as the London MPs wouldn't be able to get away with this sort of outrageous behaviour.

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j, bromley says...
5:45pm Wed 2 Jul 08

Well said Harry.Although I seemed to remmeber reading the blurb on Bob Neil's election manifesto.Vote for him he's lives locally and is aware of local issues.When it suits Mr Neill.

It beggars belief that our cops are fighting for a salary increase under 3% and these crooks are claiming an amount not disimilar to a years salary for the average worker.Fraud.

I no longer vote or take an interest in politics because of these crooks.

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Nick, says...
7:07pm Wed 2 Jul 08

The second home allowance is essential for MPs who represent places too far from London to commute but this shouldn't be available to any London MP (at the moment only MPs in Inner London are not eligible).

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Sisyphus, Bromley says...
9:20pm Wed 2 Jul 08

Of course what this story doesn't mention is that, although the allowance that can be claimed - and only now revealed thanks to some dogged journalists, in the face of fierce opposition from MPs and the Commons authorities, who would rather we didn't ask difficult questions like, what are you doing with the money we give you to represent us? - will be cut, MPs' salaries will rise by eye-watering amounts to compensate them.

As j says above, compare this with pubic sector workers who have been told 2% and no more, despite the fact that inflation is 4.3%, and it makes you wonder how they sleep at night. Oh yeah, on a nice comfy mattress and sheets from John Lewis, which we paid for.

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