Summary
‘MPs’ Expenses and Allowances: Supporting Parliament, Safeguarding the Taxpayer (Cm.7724) Twelfth Report' makes proposals for the reform of the regime for meeting the costs which Members of Parliament incur as a result of performing the roles for which they are elected.
In this publication, the Committee welcomes the recent public availability of expenses claims, the proposed Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority and the future external audit of expenses expenditures, and makes recommendations to improve their effectiveness.
The report sets out principles to underpin the new scheme of expenses, elaborated from the seven principles of public life. The committee makes sixty recommendations covering:
- Accommodation
- Staffing
- Travel
- Leaving Office
- Northern Ireland
- Oversight, administration and enforcement
- Financial implications.
The Report suggests that there has been a profound crisis of public confidence in the integrity of MPs brought about by successive revelations about the nature of their self-determined and self-policed expenses scheme and the way they have been used. The committee believes its proposals are a package designed for full implementation before the next Parliament, and are a first step in the important task of rebuilding the relationship between the electorate and the House of Commons.
Found this story interesting?
Spread the news by
clicking below to add it to your bookmarking service: