Is It About Time This Was Stopped?

[youngmafbog]

http://news.sky.com/story/1183327/peer-earns-300-for-40-minutes-of-work

The man was jailed for expenses fraud but is still allowed to continue in his post ripping us off (even if not breaking the law this time)

How can this be right, and I bet he is not the only one.

[LazyGun]

I am certain he is not the only one, and yes, it is well past time that this was stopped.

[emmie]

and not just the fraudsters, why do they get paid for so little time spent, clock in clock out, its awful

[douglas9401]

You can put ermine on a pig, but it's still a pig.

[jim360]

You kidding? I think the hard-working Lords deserve every penny they ge -- I can't finish that off while keeping a straight face...

[Gromit]

Attendance allowance, or just clocking in is a system designed to be abused.
There is plenty of business software available to track hours worked by employees on a job. If similar software was used to track the actual man hours working we would probably save a fortune.

[FredPuli43]

Do not understand why a peer who has been jailed for dishonesty is permitted to sit in the House of Lords at all.

The alternative to daily allowances is an annual salary for those who are allowed to vote, but the government may think that is more expensive than the present system.

If nobody was allowed claim unless they did clock off or sign out before a certain number of hours after clocking on or signing in to the Chamber or Commitees, that would certainly help.

This peer's defence is ludicrous. He says that he has obligations outside the Chamber itself, citing large amounts of mail. Well, maybe, but he can't claim for that and , as it is, strange that someone would travel in from Essex, just to spend less than 45 minutes on what he can claim for.

[FredPuli43]

^not clock off ! ^

[naomi24]

This was an initiative (there's an appropriate word!) supported by all parties, and I've no doubt that he's not the only one taking full advantage of it. Yes, it is time it was stopped.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/7859468/MPs-expenses-New-Lords-allowance-regime-open-to-abuse.html

[emmie]

didn't Gordon Brown come in for some flak for his poor attendance in the Commons, still getting paid lots in expenses etc.,

[jno]

perhaps being PM means you're busier than most MPs? I shouldn't be surprised if Cameron spends less time in the Commons too, and quite right. He's supposed to be running the country.

[youngmafbog]

He got flak after being PM. But to be fair it must have been awkward pitching up to see the right mess you left behind and it could have detracted the commons from the real job in hand ie clearing up after him.

Yes, I dont understand how a jailed peer is allowed in or even remains a peer.

[Canary42]

It's the poor who must be repeatedly demonised for abusing privileges/benefits, the rich always have lived that way and always will.

[Ken4155]

According to the story in the Mirror - who trailed him throughout the month of July - Hanningfield states that he could name at least 50 more who are doing it. He also says that the newspaper trailed him during the wrong month, "Why don't you choose October?" Priceless!

[youngmafbog]

Is he poor then?

Doesn't seem it to me and we are, quite rightly, deamonising him and his ilk!!

[EDDIE51]

Not just the house of Lords the Commons has no rule about how much or how little time an MP actually needs to attend the House . Where there not some Northern Irish MPs who made a point of NEVER attending the house of commons but were still paid in full?

[redvanman]

PARASITE's AND LEACHE.S spring to mind

[bazwillrun]

theyve been doing this since day one, its no differnt in th eussr at bruxelles it goes on everywhere

snouts in troughs is par for the course for these people, thats how they stay wealthy ...ripping off the common man/woman while all the time preaching morals at you and how you should live you life, what you can,cant should, shouldnt do

[sandyRoe]

And here's a local noble lord up to no good.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/andy-mcsmiths-diary-the-less-than-noble-lord-laird-will-have-few-friends-left-in-the-house-9009734.html

[bazwillrun]

"Northern Irish MPs who made a point of NEVER attending the house of commons but were still paid in full? "

i think that may have been those two murderous ira scumbags Adams and Mcguiness..alledgedly