MPs expenses

[BayBoy1]

MPs are now allowed to keep their expenses SECRET..Will i be allowed to keep my earnings, and tax information secret secret from the government , or will Ibe committing an offence?

[McMouse]

They are not allowed to keep expenses secret. In some cases they have asked that the name of their landlord be kept secret for security reasons. A female MP claimed she was being stalked.

[VHG]

But part of the reason they want to keep their landlords secret is that MPs are renting their houses off each other.

So two MPs may OWN houses in London (paid for by their MPs expenses claimed in the past).

But instead of living in their OWN house they live in each others, allowing them BOTH to claim for the rent, which can be as high as £1,500 a month I believe.

I wonder if they have ever read Animal Farm.

[ludwig]

It's for security reasons. They're scared that if any of their constituents find out what a bunch of thieving gobshites they are, it may put their lives in danger.

[LazyGun]

Anyone watch the documentary on C4:Dispatches about this last night? Pretty interesting.

Seems clear that at least some MPs were gaming the system, exploiting a loophole within the revised issue whereby they could rent out their part owned property in central London to cover the mortgage payments, and then rent another property in central London, for which they could recoup the whole cost of the rental.

For those MPs needing a place near the House of Commons because their constituency is too far to commute, we should build a complex of bedsits, offering a nice low rent which they can make use of.

[LazyGun]

I hope there is an AB badge for drollery - Ludwig would get my vote :)

[modeller]

In Westminster there are several very nice hostels. You get a free meal and soup, plus good company with others who know how to put the world right .

[McMouse]

I agree with all the posts that criticise MPs who are "at it" still or again. My response to OP was that the expenses themselves we not secret.

[Gromit]

The expenses are not secret, but they are working a scam.

The rules changed so that they could not claim their mortgage payments but they could claim for renting premises.

So some MPs have been letting their houses to each other.

Naughty.

[Zeuhl]

Why would landlord data need to be secret rather than just 'secured'?

Is the suggestion that a central office in Westminster policing the proper conduct of property rentals could not have landlord information because the data's security could not be assured?

Heaven help us if that is the case

[Gromit]

Of course, if they Landlord information is kept out of the public domain, it means no one can see if MPs are renting their homes to each other or their friends. The reason given is security but that looks like a smokescreen. The dispatches programme had instances of MPs renting out their homes that had largely been paid for out of expenses, and they renting a place around the corner and claiming rent.

[DTCwordfan]

Put them all in the camp aka the Olympic Village and be done with them.

[pdq1]

So much for IPSA who made the rules. MPs expenses are just as high now as they were when we were fleeced rotten. So what have they achieved? Buggar all!

[Dodger666]

IPSA should ensure there are no loopholes in the expenses rules that the unscrupulous MPs can exploit in the first place. I suspect many of them spend more time maximising their expenses than they do serving their constituents.

I also think the title "Honourable" and "Right Honourable" should be done away with. Many of them are anything but.

[boxtops]

They're probably being sarcastic when addressing each other as "Honourable/Right Honourable" dodger :)

[sir.prize]

Can Joe Pubic claim his mortgage/rent as expenses? Of course not; he has to pay from his wages/salaries. Also his TV licence, his Internet connection, feeding his dog and replacing toilet seats!

Why shouldn't MP's do the same? Do they use their wages/salary for anything? If they rent out their own property surely the income should be used to pay for their Central London accommodation. Parasites the lot of 'em.

[Psybbo]

If Sir.Prize doesn't get best answer, I give up!!!

[ladybirder]

I watched the Dispatches programme the other night as well. It's outrageous what they are getting away with again and it seems John Bercow is aiding and abetting them in their dishonesty (according to the programme).

[Svejk]

Phew, thank goodness for that.
Just heard the Chairman of IPSA on the radio."We've sorted out all the issues around MPs expenses. Everyone agrees on that & everyone's happy".
Sounded like the genius who was 'running' the BBC.
Asked why it cost £6,000,000 to oversee 650 MPs expenses(£10,0
00
each?)got angry & said "I haven't come here to talk about that. We're doing a great job".