MPs' expense claims

[Robert HM]

I think it's honest greed.

If an MP is claiming 100% of a Council Tax bill and gets a rebate without declaring it, I find it less than honest. If that MP "discovers" his mistake just as he realises that the details are to be published and pays it back, I find that highly suspicious. A mere elector would be prosecuted and a court would be asked if he or she acted dishonestly.

[The Camel]

There is absolutely no doubt MP's are underpaid.

If they were paid in accordance with their ability and qualifications there would be no need for marginal expenses claims.

[Robert HM]

There is absolutely no doubt MP's are underpaid.

If they were paid in accordance with their ability and qualifications there would be no need for marginal expenses claims.

But successive governments have publicly declared "no pay rise" but winked to the MPs and allowed the increase in expenses and allowances, that, Sir, is a fraud on the electorate and tax payers in general. They should have put forward their case and persuaded their constituents that they were worth a rise.

[gatso]

oh noes, mps try and get stuff through on exs that they shouldn't. shocker, they're just like everyone else. people really need to get a grip

[The Camel]

There is absolutely no doubt MP's are underpaid.

If they were paid in accordance with their ability and qualifications there would be no need for marginal expenses claims.

But successive governments have publicly declared "no pay rise" but winked to the MPs and allowed the increase in expenses and allowances, that, Sir, is a fraud on the electorate and tax payers in general. They should have put forward their case and persuaded their constituents that they were worth a rise.

In a perfect world you are right.

But trying to tell 2 million + unemployed and 10 million poorly paid people that their MP is underpaid at £50k per year would be nigh on impossible.

Exes and perks are traditionally the way people in this country get a boost on their wages.

[Royal Flush]

If there is any justice then these politicians will be hounded out of office, investigated by the police and sentenced for fraud in the courts.

Errrm they followed the rules though no?

[Robert HM]

If there is any justice then these politicians will be hounded out of office, investigated by the police and sentenced for fraud in the courts.

Errrm they followed the rules though no?

No they didn't. They were restricted to necessary expenditure to function. The fees office colluded to allow far more. That was not enough for some who fraudulent claims on top.

[Royal Flush]

If there is any justice then these politicians will be hounded out of office, investigated by the police and sentenced for fraud in the courts.

Errrm they followed the rules though no?

No they didn't. They were restricted to necessary expenditure to function. The fees office colluded to allow far more. That was not enough for some who fraudulent claims on top.

ah ok my bad i thought it was the system that was flawed as it allowed people to do this.

Not been following the story at all as frankly i don't care if they take more they are paid ridic low salary for the job they do.

[Josedinho]

A couple of people have mentioned they are underpaid. I don't think that gives them the right to bump up their pay with expense claims. If they are underpaid for their qualifications they are welcome to get new jobs.

[Robert HM]

It MAY be the fact that the job is worth a better salary but it was openly said that MPs would not be getting a pay rise at certain historic points, instead, secretly, it was agreed within the confines of the House that they would be OK as they could kick the arse out of the expense system. That is simply being dishonest to the electorate. Why the hell are we being flooded with apologies if they were all "doing the right thing".

One of the things that is REALLY getting my goat are the MPs who are insulting our intelligence each night on the TV, radio and press.

[redsimon]

If you think this is bad you should see the way one of the NDGB's ( non departmental Government bodies ) spends public money, Remploy squander so many millions of pounds on stupid things that are really not justified, and I do mean the employment services arm of the company not the factories.

government spending and accountability is needing a huge overhaul.

+1 the organisation I'm working for has spent £thousands on "rebranding"...the outcome? change way name is spelt to lower case and last word of name has lost an "s", new letterheads etc and the 50K sheets of headed paper with old logo on is to be pulped, make you proud huh?

[ACE2M]

the whole system is flawed but whats winding me up is not one MP has come forward before being named by the papers, all hoping they will be missed, tossers.

[boldie]

I quite like the "I didn't know my mortgage was paid off" one..

wish I could make an accounting error like that.

[Robert HM]

I quite like the "I didn't know my mortgage was paid off" one..

wish I could make an accounting error like that.

out of the c.650 MPs we have a remarkable high number of innumerate, inefficient or lazy.

[nirvana]

It is easy to think they aren't paid enough as £65K isn't a great deal.

But they don't really work unsocial hours these days, parliament does not sit for the number of days that the average person works, there is no accountability (in any serious wasy) for how they use all their spare time. Other work is easy to find at quite lucrative rates. Many MPs employ other members of their family at pretty decent salaries to staff 'their office'. The legitimate expense claims for second homes can be very profitable in terms of overall gain.

The pension they can gain on very little length of service is very substantial when compared with any private sector schemes. There are honourable exceptions but can anybody point to a significant number of MPs actually achieving anything of any note or benefit to our people.

Also, you can be quite ungood looking and still pull pretty well.

Overall it's a gravy train with very little accountability. On average I think the MP's benefits might be worth something like £150K in the private sector minimum and for £150K in the private sector there's a fair chance you need to achieve something (OK, there may be some well known fat cats and bankerswe need to except)