MP's Expenses

[ntluser]

The MPs allowance system needs to be radically reformed as at present all it does is rip off the nation.

There's no need for each MP to have a second home in London. All you need is a large 3-star hotel in London that is exclusively reserved for and used by provincial MPs when required in Parliament.

Neither does each MP need her/his individual team of staff.There could be a general pool of admin staff for backbenchers and a separate pool of staff used exclusively by ministers. The staff would all be civil servants covered by the Official Secrets Act and accountable to the public.

In this way costs are reduced; there are no accusations of nepotism;all transactions can be monitored by the National Audit Office and all monies can be accounted for.

[frogstamper]

Also who else can decide their own salary's in the UK?

[punky]

Has anyone seen these documents? The hand writing is appalling.

[papa smurf]

Originally Posted by frogstamper

Also who else can decide their own salary's in the UK?

bank robbers

[WHISTLED]

There's no need for each MP to have a second home in London. All you need is a large 3-star hotel in London that is exclusively reserved for and used by provincial MPs when required in Parliament.

Neither does each MP need her/his individual team of staff.There could be a general pool of admin staff for backbenchers and a separate pool of staff used exclusively by ministers. The staff would all be civil servants covered by the Official Secrets Act and accountable to the public.

In this way costs are reduced; there are no accusations of nepotism;all transactions can be monitored by the National Audit Office and all monies can be accounted for.

Both silly ideas..

MP's dont pop to london for the odd day here and there, you cant expect them to live out of a suitcase.

Central admin would cause more problems than help - Same as it does in business, no account of your own priorities.

[frogstamper]

Originally Posted by WHISTLED

Isnt their salary only £50k? Granted they have a final salary pension which is amazing but thats not much for that kind of job.

I have to agree with this, on its own 50k is not a lot compared to jobs MPs could no doubt get in the city, but when you add pensions and expenses it adds up to a more realistic figure. It just comes across as under-hand the way MPs get their money, imo it should be payed in full and open to scrutiny, a realistic sum for a back-bench MP today would be around 100k.

[ntluser]

Originally Posted by WHISTLED

Both silly ideas..

MP's dont pop to london for the odd day here and there, you cant expect them to live out of a suitcase.

Central admin would cause more problems than help - Same as it does in business, no account of your own priorities.

Lots of people live out of a suitcase and all they have is a basic salary, commission and travelling expenses.

What problems do you see with central admin? Lots of businesses manage with a mixture of typing pools, secretaries and PAs.

MPs forget that they are civil servants answerable to the electorate not political joyriders living a luxurious lifestyle at the expense of the taxpayers.

---------- Post added at 14:40 ---------- Previous post was at 14:32 ----------

Originally Posted by frogstamper

I have to agree with this, on its own 50k is not a lot compared to jobs MPs could no doubt get in the city, but when you add pensions and expenses it adds up to a more realistic figure. It just comes across as under-hand the way MPs get their money, imo it should be payed in full and open to scrutiny, a realistic sum for a back-bench MP today would be around 100k.

There seems to be this ridiculous argument that if you pay somebody a vast salary they will automatically be more efficient. If that the case why is the Royal Mail failing when Adam Crozier's being paid millions.

We need to get Parliament and Public Services to get their heads out of the clouds and employing the long tested method that if you are not up to the job then you are sacked.

Too much public money is wasted on golden hellos, golden handshakes, overinflated salaries & overgenerous pensions. If MPs want 100K and perks let them earn it by giving us efficient, effective, transparent government characterized by high moral values and integrity.

[bob_a_builder]

Too much public money is wasted on golden hellos, golden handshakes, overinflated salaries & overgenerous pensions

Sorry I know its not MP related and old news, but thought it a good example of the above, ironically an PM was trying to stop it

"An MP has criticised a £243,000 pay-off to an NHS director who worked for a debt-ridden trust for three weeks."
and after 2.5 years of gardening leave too

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/s...es/6258595.stm

[Chrysalis]

Originally Posted by TheNorm

Some might say "So where are these good people then?"

How about a basic salary, plus a bonus based on performance? For every £100 they save the taxpayer, the MP gets to keep half.

The MP defending nulabs borrowing policy on the bbc a week or so ago 'daily politics' was clueless borderline thick. The presenter was completely overwhelming her and she ended up with a casual remark of "lets just wait and see shall we".

---------- Post added at 15:42 ---------- Previous post was at 15:40 ----------

Originally Posted by ntluser

The MPs allowance system needs to be radically reformed as at present all it does is rip off the nation.

There's no need for each MP to have a second home in London. All you need is a large 3-star hotel in London that is exclusively reserved for and used by provincial MPs when required in Parliament.

Neither does each MP need her/his individual team of staff.There could be a general pool of admin staff for backbenchers and a separate pool of staff used exclusively by ministers. The staff would all be civil servants covered by the Official Secrets Act and accountable to the public.

In this way costs are reduced; there are no accusations of nepotism;all transactions can be monitored by the National Audit Office and all monies can be accounted for.

If you look at some things in walks of life, like in private companies you even have to justify buying pens on the expenses list whilst MPs can buy stuff and not need to provide receipts it there is an assumption of trust. Benefit claimants claiming much less have to provide proof for everything.

[ntluser]

What do forum members think of the proposal that MPs get a bigger salary in place of expenses?

As per usual, it's all about looking after themselves and less accountability to the paying public.

[TheDaddy]

Originally Posted by WHISTLED

Isnt their salary only £50k? Granted they have a final salary pension which is amazing but thats not much for that kind of job.

It's more than business would think their talents are worth I bet

---------- Post added at 14:10 ---------- Previous post was at 14:07 ----------

Originally Posted by WHISTLED

Both silly ideas..

MP's dont pop to london for the odd day here and there, you cant expect them to live out of a suitcase.

How about buying/ building properties out of the public purse, that remain the property the public and can then be given to other MP's when they are finished with them

Central admin would cause more problems than help - Same as it does in business, no account of your own priorities.

As opposed to giving members of your family non jobs paid for by us. I think they should be allocated a secretary and if they need other staff at times they should have to approach an agency for qualified temps

[PeteTheMusicGuy]

Originally Posted by BBKing

Not seen too many Sinn Fein MPs around Westminster, though, have we? Not that it's particularly concerned with pay, but they have technically been on strike* since the first one was elected.

* well, refusing to accept particular working conditions, at least.

From my personal experience I am aware that those MPs still work very hard for those who elected them Well mines does anyway. I just thought I should mention that

I wonder what the expenses claims are like from them. Now that might be funny

---------- Post added at 14:19 ---------- Previous post was at 14:17 ----------

Originally Posted by frogstamper

Also who else can decide their own salary's in the UK?

A bank robber

[WHISTLED]

As opposed to giving members of your family non jobs paid for by us. I think they should be allocated a secretary and if they need other staff at times they should have to approach an agency for qualified temps

That should be treated as frau in my view, i see no issue with them having their own staff - If I was an MP common sense would tell me not to have pay family members.

How about buying/ building properties out of the public purse, that remain the property the public and can then be given to other MP's when they are finished with them

In principal not a bad idea but where can they build new houses in London? (In volume) Plus as we do why shouldnt they decide where they live?! Massive security risk having all the MP's in one place (which realistically is what woudl be required)

[ntluser]

Originally Posted by WHISTLED

That should be treated as frau in my view, i see no issue with them having their own staff - If I was an MP common sense would tell me not to have pay family members.

In principal not a bad idea but where can they build new houses in London? (In volume) Plus as we do why shouldnt they decide where they live?! Massive security risk having all the MP's in one place (which realistically is what woudl be required)

All the MPs are together at Parliament but Fathers For Justice and others have demonstrated how pathetic security is.

That's why I suggested a large hotel ( already existing) where only MPs and MP supervised guests would get in. After all, this is work related.

[TheDaddy]

Originally Posted by WHISTLED

In principal not a bad idea but where can they build new houses in London? (In volume) Plus as we do why shouldnt they decide where they live?! Massive security risk having all the MP's in one place (which realistically is what woudl be required)

No one said they have to be built together or bought together. Why should we decide where they live? Why should we have to pay for it then, they take what's on offer or they fend for themselves imo, with luck this gravey train has hit the buffers and they had better get used to it. Some of these ponces seem to forget they are there to serve us not us serve them.