MPs' expenses: the ten most outrageous claims ever

MPs are paid an annual salary of £63,291 – yet in 2007 each MP also claimed an average of £135,600 for expenses. Travel costs, staff pay and, of course, the controversial second homes allowance are amongst the many things charged to the taxpayer.

Matthew Elliott of the TaxPayers’ Alliance said: “Some politicians have been taking the mickey and taking advantage of taxpayers’ generosity. It is more important than ever, for the democratic system as much as for taxpayers, that the full details of every claim be published. The minority who are cashing in so disgracefully should be run out of town.”

As the row over the transparency of expenses continues, Money Central lists the 10 most outrageous expense claims ever made by MPs.

1. Jacqui Smith’s pornography

Jacqui Smith was left “mortified and furious” after it emerged she had claimed the cost of two pornographic films her husband had watched from her parliamentary expenses budget. Her expenses claims included two films, each costing £5, viewed on April 1 and April 6 last year.

2. Jacqui Smith’s house

Ms Smith is already facing an inquiry over her decision to designate her sister’s house in London as her “main home”. This allowed her to claim £116,000 on her Redditch constituency house, where her family live, as her “second home”.

3. Tony McNulty’s house

Tony McNulty, the Employment Minister, claimed £60,000 as a second home allowance for staying in his parent’s house and is also facing investigation by the Commons watchdog.

Mr McNulty started claiming allowances for the house in his Harrow constituency in northwest London in 2001 and continued to do so until January this year, even though he moved out in 2002. Since then he has lived in Hammersmith, which is just nine miles from Harrow.

Sixteen London MPs claim up to £16,000 a year for a second home, despite living less than an hour's commute from Westminster.

4. Derek Conway’s son, or “parliamentary assistant”

Derek Conway, the senior Conservative MP, used expenses to "employ" his teenage son Fredrick as a Parliamentary assistant, despite the fact that Fredrick was a full-time Geography student at Newcastle university. Frederick was paid up to £11,773 a year for his work – but was “all but invisible during the period of his employment,” according to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.

5. Nick Bourne’s iPod

Last year it emerged that two members of the Welsh assembly, Conservative leader Nick Bourne and fellow Tory, Alun Cairns, bought iPods on their expenses worth a combined £398. Mr Bourne, who represents Mid and West Wales, also bought a £120 trouser press.

6. Bill Butler’s £1 charity donation

Bill Butler, the Labour MSP for Glasgow Anniesland, tried to claim back a £1 charity donation that a hotel made on his behalf. He says that the hotel made the charge without his knowledge. It was rejected by the Scottish Parliament authorities.

David Whitton, MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden, also had a claim rejected this year – he wanted £290 in expenses for printing Christmas cards.

7. Caroline Spelman’s nanny

Caroline Spelman, the Conservative Party Chairman and MP for Meriden, was found to have broken the rules for MPs expenses when she hired her nanny as a secretarial assistant in the late 1990s.

Tina Haynes received free board and lodgings - but was not paid - for looking after Mrs Spelman's three children. However, she was paid £13,000 a year, from Mrs Spelman's expenses, for 18-hours work a week as the MP's assistant.

8. Brian Gibbons’ remembrance wreath

Brian Gibbons, the the Labour Minister for Social Justice and Local Government, claimed £16.50 for a Royal British Legion wreath that he presumably laid at a remembrance service.

9. Alex Fergusson's charity advert

The Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament attempted to recover £132.78 for the cost of a "congratulatory advert" for a constituency charity for disadvantaged children. His claim was rejected.

10. Council tax

With the average annual council tax bill set to increase to £1,414 from next month, many struggling pensioners will be interested to learn that MPs do not have to pay council tax on their second homes. They can, of course claim it on expenses.

By Lauren Thompson

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Comments

[Neil]

The more I learn about MPs' expense claims the more I understand why they fought tooth and nail to keep them secret. It is an absolute scandal and at least three of the "top ten," including Smith, McNulty and Conway should be investigated by the Fraud Squad, not just by a whitewashing Parliamentary Watchdog. There is no reason at all why these parasites should not be prosecuted.

[Neil]

It makes me sick. The working people of this country are being walked all over by the MP's in a ruling of their own making to suit them selves. The country is absolutely corrupt, there is little difference betweent he rulership of this country and that of Africa, except our 'leaders' know that if they keep us sweet they can milk us for more.

We need an uprising and we need a change the system is corrupt but what can we do?

[Barrie Thompson]

It has always been the case that the Rich and Powerful can get away with almost everything but, especially rewarding themselves a lot more than the poor working man/woman to make themselves even more rich and powerful. With over 40 years as a community leader my experience has told me that by far the worse have been the conservatives and the landed gentry and I am not surprised at the New Labour parasites either. If they had been true socialists we would have not been in the mess we are in at the moment, lets get back to the politics of the immediate post 2nd war government where the people were the most important having real jobs and low cost homes fit for hero's because it is the ordinary man who has lost the most out of the collapse of capitalism. I am fed up, as I am sure are the majority of your readers, with having to keep on bailing out the failures of the greedy who do not stop despite their failures we only have to see the greed of the big city bosses taking as much out of the pot as they can get away with as well as those that govern us.

[Chris Head]

We have a very serious problem here in that our politicians (including Ministers) apparently fail to understand that whatever the rules might say, people in public office should set an example. It is the spirit of the law that matters, and not the ease with which it can be manipulated for personal advantage. It is not surprising that the country has so totally lost faith in parliament and politicians!

[Bonusfilius]

Many of us believe the poll tax to have been eminently fair. Admittedly, it neede some 'tweaking', to iron out anomalies, eg students. However, the principle was sound. 'Can't afford it' was an outrageous remark made by those who didn't see why they should contribute to the public services from which they benefitted.

[GJB]

MP's should be paid a set amount and then nothing in allowances.
This would free up the time they spend dreaming up new scams to get more money out of the system.
They could use the time saved in running the country.
Don't hold your breath though.

[Frank Upton]

Don't forget Margaret Beckett's free rockery, with its delightfully Pythonesque overtones.

[John White]

The worrying thing here, is that mainstream politicians really believe they are entitled to all the hard laboured tax payer's money they can get their hands on. Their logic is that it is a victimless crime. Well wait till the millions of victims turn on them!

[Stephen Felce]

No housing allowances any more. MPs whose constituencies are more than 60 miles from Westminster should be given a room at Holloway or Pentonville from where free public transport is readily available to Westminster. No more huge travel bills.

Then when those on the make are exposed, all that will be necessary is to lock the door.

[Stephen Felce]

As the Tower of London is not fully occupied, that would be better. Then MPs have room for the family and other cronies stealing from the public purse.

Beefeaters should be stationed there 24/7 visibily sharpening their blades to remind those in residence of one alternative means of accomplisihing their eviction.

[Graham]

Our Labour MPs do a superb job and get very little in the way of public thanks. It is only right that they should see some perks on top of their meagre salaries. Who on earth are we to begrudge them a few extra, much-needed comforts? Pathetic.

[jp]

The shamelessness of the wreath on expenses is too much. I laughed.

[Amin Aswet]

Matthew Elliott of the TaxPayers’ Alliance said: “Some politicians have been ...... and taking advantage of taxpayers’ generosity."
Since when has the taxpayer had a say on these allowances?

[David]

How about David Blunket's first class rail fares for his mistress?

[tory boys never grow up]

Perhaps you could follow this with the 10 most outrageous journalists expense claims! Is this a case a the pot calling the kettle black I wonder

[Mark]

Husband and wife MPs Peter Robinson and Iris Robinson BOTH claiming different London second home allowances should also be mentioned here...

[B.Warren]

Adult film claim Jacquie Smith.

I can't believe this. The PM condoning his Home Secretary's claim for 'Adult Film' expenses. The overall cost, (whether or not it is 'Adult' - whatever that signifies), is quite immaterial. It is still a fraudulant claim in many people's eyes. Effectively stealing from the Public. The central feature is that someone lied over this claim and the fact that the Home Secretary signed for this expenses claim - a claim in her name, indicates that she took responsibility. There seems to be too much of this thing going on, there should be a completely independent enquiry in the Public interest. The PM trying to cover everything up is not good enough. This system of covering up in this manner is very damaging to this Country and undermines any credibility we may have had, in the eyes of other countries. The police should investigate the 'Porn' element and the Fraud. And, what is the PM hiding?

[Chris Reed]

What do you expect from people who work in a palace ! No wonder they are out of touch.

[Liz Stewart]

The porn films are at least an amusing diversion in these miserable times.

But these MPs really all have their snouts in the trough, clearly trying to take as much as they can before they find themselves jobless. Just because the system is lax is no reason to exploit it particularly when you are answerable to the public. How can Jacqui Smith claim for antique fireplaces and a dining suite for her sisters home and get away with it never mind getting her Sky subs paid for. How can we possibly employ someone with no moral principles as Home Secretary? But then she has never been the sharpest tool in the box.

Perhaps if stuff like furniture is paid for out of the public purse, once they are booted out of office, it should have to be given back and put on Ebay!

[Andi]

Are people aware that an MP gets a £40K (approx) 'gratuity' when they get voted out?

That's almost twice the average salary simply for being unpopular enough to NOT be able to keep your job.

I am sure that makes sense to someone.

[Barrie.]

I was very impressed with Jacqui Smith's splendid solid oak gate and fence, and surprised you didn't pick up on it. Our church porch door cost several thousand pounds and was much smaller. Who paid for hers, please?

[Helene Davidson]

This kind of corruption of moral standards is what led to the transformation of tax paying into a spectator sport in countries like Italy. Unless our politicians show some moral fibre it will create a terrible precedent for the financing of honest government.

[mohsen]

If they should cut there expenses paid to 20,000 pounds a year and save the tax payer 100 million pounds, let then know what it feels like due credit crunch

[Tom Franklin]

Jacqui Smith has several problems, the awful spelling of her name, her perpetual hypocrisy and her husband watching GAY PORN...(funny how the papers aren't mentioning that bit) just to name a few.

The woman is a walking catastrophe unable to give a single interview and answer the questions directly, she is a laughing stock every time she appears on TV and radio. Run away stupid woman, stop scrounging off me and cancel your "broadband".

[Steve]

Place an absolute ban on MP's employing spouses, children, siblings and other relatives as employees. This is clearly being abused. Who on earth would pay someone £40k pa who is stupid enough to submit claims for 'blue movies'.

[Lauren]

I believe you have forgotten Mr Speaker dodgy expenses claim. As usually a lot of noise in the press, but at the end of the day, they all carry on claiming and claiming as much as they wish. Inquiries are just a way to provide well paid part time jobs to their friends. It has never sent any one in jail for stealing from the taxpayer. It is like stealing from us is legal once one is elected.

[Clive Britcher]

Give them allowances, and they'll tweak them until they double their salaries. So let's work out a "reasonable" fixed amount housing allowance and pay it to ALL MPs, Full stop.
As for whether Jaqui Smith is "sleazy" or not... that question was answered 100 years ago . ALL politicians are sleazy - they're the lowest form of life!

[Lee]

What a bunch of f**king c***s.

Can I say that ? Or does this put me in danger of being arrested in breach of anti-terror legislation.

I voted Labour, all I can say it I am very sorry, it won't happen again.

[Craig]

Usuall policitian, feather ones on nest.
How about a few changes.
1- an MP must live in his consituency
2 - salary's are capped as 2 to 3 times the natioanl average salary.
3 - no housing expenses, build a dorm in london and they can live there during parilment. (they only work less than half the year any how)
4 - while in london give them travel pass for the public transport an axe the cars (PM excluded for security reasons)

[Dave B]

MP's should be granted (via referendum on polling day) only the expenses their constituents feel they have deserved. This would go for second homes, travelling, assistants, everything. That way they would have to explain themselves, and every detail of their lifestyles (if they wanted that detail public, and paid for by the public) to the people who both foot the bill and whose lives are affected by the MP's work.

Call it a performance bonus. You don't run for office to enrich yourself: it's a calling, not a job.

[GeorgeCr]

Doesn't anyone bother to check the claims that are submitted? Its one thing that some of these claims were made in the first place, but why weren't they rejected by the payments office?

[magpie]

Absolutely disgusting!

Nothing more than pigs with snouts in the trough!
Corrupt with no semblence of morals.
SHAME ON YOU!!!

[Robin]

If any other member of the public, caught out in committing "corrupt" practices, were to say "I'm sorry, I will pay the money back", the police would say "Too late mate, youré nicked"! Not so with our delightful politicians.

Now, I understand, they are to be allowed to censor their own expenses claims before they are made public! Do they honestly believe that they are so important that they can openly hide their shady dealings from the people that pay for them. Police investigations all round are called for, and if this results in some 650 MPs going to gaol then I am sure the general public will be able to weather the storm. Rather happily I would suggest.

[derek bevan]

There appears to be an abundance of BRAND NEW suits,and CLOTHES,for everyone in Parliament and Media,are they ON expenses ?

[Richard]

What is wrong with Smith's claim is not that she claimed for pornographic films, but that she claimed for private entertainment as a business expense. The highlighting of the 18-rated films is simply a bit of spin on the part of the press.

[Arthur]

What I cant understand, is every have-your-say is against the idea that politicians can, or should, fleece the system for all the cash they have, and yet politicians dont seem to care. We voted them in, but they show us nothing but contempt. Why are we putting up with it? Why are we letting them break the law?

[Rachel]

When nurses are training they are provided with accommodation near the hospital, would it be so difficult to do the same for politicians when they are at Westminster?

I find it ridiculous that they can claim for a family home the size most people can only dream of having, and we - the tax payers - are given the bill when they want to decorate! Another example of inequality and elitism in Britain.

It makes me wonder exactly what they spend their wages on if everything is on expenses.....

[Russell]

Can someone explain to me why the hell I should continue to pay my taxes so that MPs husbands can get free porn and 40K a year salaries for (I bet) doing nothing?

I used to happily pay tax, naively thinking it went towards paying nurses, teachers etc. The system is broken. Lock the whole lot up in parliament and burn the place down. Guy Fawkes had the right idea.

[Scott]

What a bunch of crooks. If this were the US they would all be facing criminal charges. They are stealing from all of us and the press barely bothers with it. They should be hounded until they resign.

[Carlos]

I think there is a huge problem, as they are all corrupt. It has to be stopped as soon as possible. I'd say it was only reasonble to give MPs that are more than 60 miles from Westminster a travel allowance. They have obviusly forgotton that it is a priveledge position of power.
I wonder what else there is to come out of the wood work !

[Liam]

crooked and corrput! no more faith in any MP. sack them all. Gordon is Brown is going to pay at the elections for this corrput system. when the UK starves, these fat and bloated good-for-nothings are feeding on free tax payer cash

[Sara]

I really am outraged at this, such ridiculous expenses cannot be allowed. How can they presume to ask for transparency in the City and in the private sector when the MPs get paid to breathe?

By all means, pay them good enough waged so that professionals are interested in politics as well, not just losers who've never done any work in their lifes, but these kind of expenses? Why a sink, why such huge amounts for a second home, a caravan as a main home? Are you having a laugh or just presume we're not noticing?

I don't know who to vote for, I am becoming very diserheartned with justice in this coutry Britain is turning in a banana republic, the one who's the best cheater wins. This is not what should be expected of such a country...

[Laura Roberts]

If I submitted a personal expense as a company expense in my taxes, or attempted to claim back the VAT, I would be fined, possibly charged with fraud and jailed.

As the authorities, including the government keep telling us: it doesn't matter if we make a mistake, there are strict rules that we have to follow otherwise the system is unworkable.

Accidentally going over a speed limit, mistakenly driving the wrong way, forgetting to tell the authorities about something, overlooking a detail, forgetting to pay for something - for the general populace, none of these are accepted by the authorities as excuses for failing to do something. The answer is always the same: there are rules and one's forgetfulness/stupidity is irrelevant.

But for the members of authority, it's a different story. Text whilst driving in the fast lane of a motorway at night and crash into a vehicle? Oh, that's fine, no problem. Fail to declare loans and interests that affect your job? Oh that's fine, especially if you follow it up with photographing a woman in various sexual poses in your public-funded office, take her to another location and repeat it, load all the images on your computer (which presumably is funded by the taxpayer too) then when confronted by the press lie and claim it never happened, but then claim amnesia of the entire evening and all events when proof is submitted. Yes, that's fine.

Claim for a second home and fund your mortgages, wonderful. "Forget" to separate the porn that your husband (or son...) watches from your broadband and try and get the public to pay for that, that's fine too. Your boss will support you and claim it's a personal matter. Personal, when the public is paying for it?

Their positions are untenable. Every single one of them. Our society is crumbling for many reasons, but this fundamental hypocrisy and sleaze is churning the growth of what will be massive civil unrest when one day the people will finally snap and say enough. Teargas is not the answer.

[Jo]

I cannot find Peter Hain's 80 year old grandmother in your list. Did you forget it?

[AndrewT]

Whilst MP's allowances are cause for offernce, what offends me more is their inability to serve the interests of the people.

With virtually no scruitany they passed the EU constitution which allows the following:

1) Prevents us ever nationalising an industry - regardless of badly it serving the our interests
2) Allows foriegn police to subjicate the people - no longer does the prime minster need permission from parliment
3) Allows foriegn Military to subjicate the people
4) Takes away control of our North sea oil.
5) Surrendered our ability to determine our energy policy
** This is the one which will hurt Britain the most - if China's econommy recovers then the price of Oil will increase dramitically, we will then need to build coal fired power stations as a stop gap until we can build tidal tams and Nuclear power stations - Since our MPs have sign us up a green energy plan we cannot do this so expect energy blacks or crippling energy bills **

6) Sign away an independent foreign policy
7) Form a european army control by Brussels.

In short this treaty was unsignable
yet they agreed to it. Why?

[Brian Christley. Abergele]

The expense problem can be easily resolved – only elect honest politicians

[Simon]

The latest twist is that the Government wants to "plug the leak" that has enabled this information to come into the public domain.

Anybody who exposes corrupt practices in private business is termed a "whistleblower" and is praised by Government. Anybody who exposes corruption in Government is prosecuted.

[Andrew Cowley]

Never mind 2 or 3 times the national avergae Craig, they should be paid the same as the minimum that any public sector worker is paid. If that is the equivalent of a trainee nurse, then that is what they should get. It is because all of these MP's are driven only by the money they can make that they are all so corrupt and lacking in any ethics or morals. If they actually did the job to make a positive difference, instead of doing it just so they can have a little fiefdom of power and fleece money from the tax-payer, then maybe we'd be in a better state. Stuart Bell, ever so loudly proclaiming the horror of these disclosures, is MP for Middlesbrough, not that he has done anything for the town. He'll still get in though, because not enough people care that these MP are all nothing more than weak, corrupt, egotistical light-weights. There is a terribly malady infecting UK politics, and the sooner that incompetants like Smith and Balls are removed, the better.

[Jill]

Don't forget the Conservative MPs Sir Nicholas and Ann Winterton who bought a flat in the early 1990s, paid off the mortgage then put the property into a family trust in order to avoid inheritance tax. They then occupied it as tenants, paying the rent by using their Commons allowance for running a second home.

[william rodgers]

Hey calm down everybody!

This is all peanuts compared to what they are up to in Brussels

[Melanie]

I've always thought our MPs (in South Africa) were criminals, but it seems as if yours are just as bad!

[Gerald Copsey]

If I take a DVD out of a shop without paying I take it I can now offer to pay for it if I'm caught but get it free if not.
Any ordinary person would incur a criminal record but it appears our representatives are above the law.
Corrupt and immoral and thay can't even see it's wrong.

[alfsboy]

bill butlers claim back of £1 on a charity donation is the most despicable thing i ever heard about any MP .A trifling amount but disgusting .I failed to use capital letters on his name because he doesnt deserve them

[Tony Bell]

Put aside the fact that Jackie Smiths husband "accidentally" put in a cliam for two adult movies, WHY THE HECK ARE THEY ALLOWED TO CLAIM FOR SKY TV PACKAGES OUT OF MY TAXES ANYWAY !!!!

[Tony Bell]

Oh and I wonder if the job her husband got working as her lacky was advertised so that properly qualified people could have a chance at such a job.

[will]

how is what tony mcnulty and jaqui smith did, not fraud? he hadnt lived in that house for 6 or 7 years and even then it was his parents house so i seriously doubt they where charging him £100,000pa to live there. and the same with jacqui smith, how can you claim £116k for your sisters box room? if a normal person tried to do that on their expenses they would be sacked and probably done for fraud.

is it really that hard to survive on £60k?

[Zard]

What a shame to have such leaders!!! It showed how petty they are. They are not there to "serve" but like parasites, they are there to suck the tax dollars of the common people. It's just sick beyond words -- and -- why are they even bother to fight back?

[Carl HHammonds]

Why are we suprised? We have corrupt politicans voted by half the public, Euro MPs voted in by even less, lords in the commons voted in by NOBODY, and Quangos created collegues of collegues.

It reminds me of the middle ages where we used to have land owners claiming taxes from the poor to pay for the rich.

We haven't moved on in a 1000 years. Its just that politicans spin it differently.

[Talula]

I am not even kidding when i say this...

Can we SUE our politicians for fraud...

Seriously, does anyone know a good lawyer who will be able to prove that this behaviour is not Fair Practice despite whatever the contracts for Westminster Politiicians say???!!!???

[Fred]

Is the scandal surrounding Jacqui Smith's expenses the reason why they have called the G20 meeting?

Perhaps the other world politicians want to come and show UK politicians how to claim more expenses without getting caught?

Let's face it they are all being wined, dined, put up in posh hotels but won't actually achieve anything. The G20 is just a massive expenses binge isn't it?

[grumpy old man]

Brian Gibbons’ remembrance wreath.
Was Mr Gibbons attending in his own right or was he representing HM Gov't or the local Labour Party?.
If the latter,then he is entitled to the cost of the wreath. I can just see the commentators above being ordered by their company to represent them and paying for the wreath themselves.

[Richard]

This is clear fraud and should be dealt with by criminal proceedings its as simple as that.

If the individuals under scrutiny are not brought to some form of justice then I will have to conclude that no faith can be put in our Government.

In a time when honest people are losing jobs and soldiers are losing their lives it is an utter disgrace that we find these Greedy, Selfish, dishonest politicans plundering Tax payers money to featehr their own nest.

Given the pathetic response of an 'investigation' by the government i would assume they will neither end up punished nor even ashamed of their actions.

[elliott]

It sounds from everybodies comments that it's time for the revolution - or conversely lets crucify all the corrupt politicians down The Mall

[Chris]

This is of course an absolute disgrace. This is theft - from us. This seems to pass most people by. I travel for my work, and I have to either get my employer to book a hotel, or I pay for it and reclaim - with a receipt (VAT). Why can't MPs do this? There are many thousands of us who live some distance away from their employment, yet they aren't paid expenses - why are MPs allowed to claim expenses for this?

The really crass part is when they gety found out, then boldly stare into a TV camera claiming "I've done nothing wrong and haven't broken any rules." Well, you wouldn't would you - because you wrote them! What a Eutopia. If only I could write my own expenses policy, then act wholly imorraly and unethically, and then claim I haven't my own rules. Absolutely priceless.

[hugh]

Every time I see Jacqui Smith's fat imbecilic face I want to smash my fist into it. Likewise Harlot Harperson. In fact, the entire zanulabour party for getting this country into the mess it's in. All politicans are scum.

[elliott]

Does anyone know the e-mail address of the PM - so that we can bombard those that need to hear our comments rather than hope they read The Times - Sorry everyone this presumes they can read

[Nick]

Honestly, the vitriol spewing from most of your mouths made me wonder if I was on the Daily Mail forums.

Of course, if this claim has been submitted against parliamentary rules, there should be consequences. If these rules are not tight enough, I think it's fair to say they'll be changed from now on. I completely agree that the second home allowances seem to be lacking in a certain degree of moral judgement.

But all this stuff about "no better than the middle ages", "lock them up and burn them" etc... Really? If people really care about the state of the system, then vote. If you have noone to vote for then organise someone to run yourself. It is a blessing that many billions of people in the world do not have.

The fact is that, disgraceful as these individual acts may be, our system is relatively corruption free compared to most nations. Indeed, the problem with "Modern Britain/Broken Britain" seems to be the abject lack of constructive criticism and civic pride amongst the general populous. Only we can change that.

[Robert]

There has been a lot of comment on Jacqui Smith's porn films but why should the taxpayer be funding a subscription to Virgin Media pay television. The rest of us don't get this free.

[Norseman]

"A society gets the politicians they deserve" said Churchill. The dumbed down, celebrity obsessed Britain anno 2009 is perfectly reflected in its elected politicians! And who made it? Look to all and everyone of us. Who can fix it? Guess......! Become involved and become critical, maybe just that is happening right now!
And by the way, if I had been married to jaqui smith I think I would have needed copious amounts of pornfilms too!

[russel thompson]

Well we have voted ! and put these people in place to govern us. We expect a certain level of Ethical behaviour and Morality in carrying out their jobs in representing us. We cannot expect them to manage the banks, financial instutions, nor other economic issues when it is clear that they are fraudulent in their day to day jobs.

It is quite simple - if it were you or me we would have been sacked by now - and this is exactly what should happen to Jacqui Smith. She and others have 'unethically' used the system for their personal gain which was meant to help 'common' Members of Parliament to represent us well.

[David]

It's now time that MPs were required to do their job without ANY pay, so it only attracts older successful people both from industry and the unions who have achieved a successful career and want to put something back. No salary, only expenses limited to train fares, perhaps a secretary, phone bills and overnight hotels etc. That way we might get less stupid legislation and people in power who know how to achieve something at little cost, rather than the self-opinionated wasters we have now got. We want people who will put the country before their expense sheet. It's all very well stating you can vote them out, but the period between elections is too long to do that.

[Norseman]

DAVID and RUSSEL THOPMSON are absolutely correct. Get rid of the 'professional' politician, put the current crooks in prison for fraud and re-elect the serious and real professionals, but how?

[Christine Armstrong]

Buy a "Halls of Residence" for MP's to use when they are in London. When they leave office they lose their room unlike now when they get to keep their "second home". Then there can be no confusion.

[Jon Carter]

The whole MP's allowances system is an absolute scandal. How they can sit in the HOC and say that everyone else has to show restraint, whilst the vast majority are effectively doubling their salaries I don't know. As a public sector worker, I ahve been subject to the requirement to show restraint. I have a three hour daily commute, and yet can't claim anything for it, let alone having a second house.
Solution - at next election, refuse to elect any MP who has claimed more that say £50k in allowances. Whilst that is still alot of money, it seems to be about half what most are claiming.

[John Feldman]

It would be interesting to investigate purchases made from the John Lewis accounts to establish whether any purchases have been made for birthday, Christmas, and wedding presents for friends and relatives.

Strange that no qualifications of any kind are required to stand for parliament. Maybe in future we could ensure that candidates are assessed for educational qualifications and moral and ethical backgrounds.

The whole parliamentary structure needs to be overhauled. Reduce costs by reducing the number of MPs and make adjustments to allow for alternative presentation now enjoyed by voters in Scotland and Wales.

[Peter]

Agree wholeheartedly with most of the comments. When they are attending Westminster they can be provided with accommodation locally. Maybe a purpose built MP hotel. They could even buy an old cruise ship from P&O or some other operator, hitch it up on the Thames and give each MP their own space on it for as long as they are in office. This is what happens in most other businesses when the company has to employ migrant workers etc.

I am a director of my own (very small)company. Times are tough at the moment company expenses are whittled to the bone to enable the business to survive. This is because we are dependant on trade with other companies / individuals for our turnover.

MPs don't have to worry about producing an income as they have us (the taxpayers) to fund their lifestyles. They have a bottomless pit of money to pay for their extravagances.

We have to make them listen and realise how disgusted we all are with their flagrant disregard for public funds. I fear civil unrest is going to be the only way!

[Brenda]

I am disgusted that in the current financial situation ,MPs are continuing to claim expenses as if there is no tomorrow. This rise appears to be a calculated insult to NHS workers, who have been given the impression that there will be no rise for them this year.
There appears to be a lot of truth in the old adage "more gets more" Will be interesting to see what happens to the higher claiming MPs when the next general election arrives.

[Laura Roberts]

Increasing the salary and taking away the formal expenses isn't the solution, it's an even worse situation. That just means they don't have to justify their expenditure to the public whatsoever.

Keep the expenses. Make them public. No second homes allowance - no other professional gets a second home allowance even when work is geographically in two places. We expense it, we get a hotel room or a studio flat. Rented, not bought with a mortgage funded by our shareholders. Unless you're Paul Dacre allegedly.

There is no need for anything more from these MPs. They have their MP office on the Parliamentary Estate, they have the dining facilities in the House, host all meetings there.

And prosecute, expel, fine and jail every case of fraud. In Roman times they'd have been executed. the gravitas of the mis-spending the money of those you have been elected to represent being properly recognised.

[Laura Roberts]

correction: gravitas? I meant gravity.

[Geoff Lusk]

Legitimate expenses should be paid, but subject to the same test for tax purposes as any employed person. The bigger concern is that this merely confirms that these people believe they can live on the public purse for all costs, eg 89p for a bath plug. Everybody needs a bath plug so why should the public pay. The culture needs to be changed from if I spend money I can reclaim it, to is this a genuine business expense. HMRC adopt one strict regime for employed persons but MPs seem to be a law to themselves. All animals are equal except some are more equal than others,

[Malski in Jakarta]

1. MP salary seems too low, what is the benchmark?
2. Legitimate expenses, of course.
3. How many hours a week does an MP work. I expect most work long hours and their hourly rate is low compared to factory employees, but some other MP's probably float along and contribute nothing to making the country a better and more prosperous place to live with higher GDP.
4. So please consider the importance of the job, pay the MP's enough so they have no need for favours from Corporate or dubious expense claims, BUT measure performance pro actively to kick out and ban the non performers. We must have MP's that have management and leadership qualities to bring the UK out of the recession and prepared for the very very tough future competing against emerging countries in APAC that have American dollars and treasury bonds, and mineral wealth.
5. what actual qualifications does an MP need? none, and this is of course democratic, but perhaps a bit outdated. Seems talking is the measure of MP performance, but time now for less MP babble, less internal squabbles and more joint and measurable actions from all groups to bring investment from overseas into UK asap. Our 'real' competition is not in the Commons or Lords, and really who gives a damn about expense pennies and dimes when the whole country is at risk of bankrupcy by December.

[Mike Bee]

MP's dont have to pay the poll tax on their second house. WHY WHY WHY. Oh sorry these MP's have the power to get themselves anything for lining their pockets. I'm really looking forward to the next general election and the canvassing. They are all going to get their arses kicked when they come to my house.

[James]

Where's Guy Fawkes when you need him...

[david]

If Jacqui Smith is lodging with her sister and claiming her second home poll tax on expenses. Then she is not payinfg any poll tax, this doesn,t sound right to me.

[John Oxley]

It should be pointed out that the taxpayer in addition to the outrageous expenses are also paying for "redundant" MP's. Over 70% of our laws are from the EU but the number of MP's in the UK are the same as say 30 years ago. Any other business faced with a similar change in circumstances would have to reduce their workforce. Why are we paying for so many MP's who no longer work into the night but sit around making up expenses?
We need our MEP's but say 50% less MP's but turkeys don't vote for Christmas!

[Steve H]

These MP's are a disgrace, I would mind less if they actually done anything useful. All the rules that apply to normal people do not apply to them, this includes council tax, congestion charge and receipts for expenses. When they come looking for your votes tell them all where to go, in particular this stinking labour lot who have finished this once good country off!!!!!

[Jim Easby]

Tom McNulty has just announced the changes in Jobseekers Allowance to disqualify anyone who will not travel less than one and a half hours to a potential place of work. It seems this limit doen't apply to him and he claims a vast sum in recompense to travel less than a 45 minute Tube journey.

Hypocrite is one word.

[K Wells]

MPs are also taking a pay rise. They have always claimed that their pay should be compared with senior civil servants. The only problem is that the comparison they are claiming is with those who actually run departments. Just how many MPs control any significant numbers of staff. Perhaps they should be compared with a village Postmaster. Sorry! most of those do a good job.

[Tapera Mwaramba]

£63000 for an MP? That is ridicolous. Why not pay them £275000 and no allowances? Just think that nurses & teachers are paid these amounts after 10 years of work. Sort it out or the dodgy claims will continue.

[JC]

Not just MPs, it seems that we're giving India £825 Million over 3 years so they can blow most of it out of the backend of a rocket!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/science/space/5095909/India-plans-to-test-space-shuttle-in-next-12-months.html

[V Cooper]

You can dress a pig in a suite but it will still snort and eat from a trough

[Tony Cross]

MPs claim expences, a few try their luck, a few make mistakes. What's the problem? This is clearly acceptable natural waste rather than widespred abuse. Goes with the territory.

The people ranting here should move on and worry about more important things like disease, famine and war

[Marilyn]

Are these dishonest fraudsters being asked to repay what they have illegally claimed? If not, they should, with interest added on.

[Alfons]

these poeple should not be allowed to get way with htings, if normal folk do crimes they pay so should they!!!!

not reocket science, eh. EH??

[alan milner]

Why dont they get it yet
THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT DOES NOT HAVE ANY MONEY IT It would therefore be sensible to introduvce a pay freeze and cut Government expenditure

[elliott]

Re comment by Brian Christley - Surely that would mean there would be NO Politicians?? Excellent

[Eric Shaw]

Running the Country £63,000 per annum
Running with a ball £125,000 per week
Failing to run a bank £750,000 per annum

[Bryan]

Taking your figures, if MPs earned salary and paid tax on it like the rest of us then to achieve the same level of spending they would be earning an average of £290,000 and that's without ministerial top-ups.
They're right up with the "fat cats" they criticise.
I see why they don't want to change the rules

[Ron Durham (NZ)]

I wonder if (unpaid) volunteers ever got "expenses". The country would fold-up if they stopped providing free labour. Remember Meals-on-Wheels, Salvation Army, Hospice, .......... .

[rob]

Brown is not seriously going to jeopardise his authority by curtailing a 12 year jamboree overnight thus alienating the pigs still busy trying to squeeze the last pound out of their expenses in the undoubted expectation of being wiped out at the next election.You may as well ask turkeys to vote for an early Christmas