Kent MPs learn of savage expenses cuts
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By political editor Paul Francis
Kent MPs face sacking members of their families under
sweeping reforms to expenses and allowances unveiled today
- including a ban on claiming for mortgages and employing
relatives.
The proposals, some of which have been widely leaked in recent
days, were outlined in detail by Sir Christopher Kelly, whose
committee on standards in public life was asked to carry out a
review in the wake of the expenses scandal.
There will be a ban on mortgage claims, which will be phased out
after a transitional period. MPs will be expected to rent homes or
stay in hotel accommodation.
MPs’ employing relatives will also be gradually phased out.
Read Paul's blog on Kelly's package
here>>>
Generous resettlement grants for MPs who voluntarily step down
will also be stopped - but not before the next general election. In
future MPs will get eight weeks' pay instead - under the current
system some long-serving MPs can get up to £64,000.
In another key recommendation, the new Independent Parliamentary
Standards Authority (IPSA) will have the power to determine the pay
and pensions of MPs as well as their expenses.
Several Kent MPs
are likely to be affected by the new measures and some have already
signalled their unhappiness about a ban on employing relatives.
But Canterbury MP Julian Brazier, who will have to sack his wife
Kate after 22 years working as his secretary for two-days a week,
said Parliament needed to accept the proposals and move
on.
“I think it is a sensible and well-balanced package. The only
thing I am sad about is that at the end of the next Parliament,
Kate will have to stop working for me.
"But one has to accept that there has been a 
number of revelations about
MPs’ relatives and I am afraid that spouses and others who have
given good value and worked very hard are suffering because the
public is understandably very angry.”
“A number of people have abused the system and the rest of us
are paying the price.”
Thanet North MP Roger Gale faces having to sack his wife Suzy,
who has worked for him in his constituency office for 27
years.
He said: “I don’t think Mr Kelly lives in the real world. We’re
being sacrificed on the altar of public opinion. This is civil
service populism mixed with party political populism, and it’s a
cheap shot.”
Wednesday, November 04 2009
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