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[MikeDundee]

....I have obtained a full list of MP's and their expenses claimed, total MP's 645, total claim just under 93 million, ranges from 64k to 180k per MP, there are only 5 MP's expenses that have been under 100k.

The breakdown inlcludes:
Second home allowance
London Supplement
Office
Staffing
Central Stationery
Stationery & Postage
I.T. Provision
Staff Cover
Communications
Travel

There are only 56 MP's that are not claiming a second home allowance

[Martin_1962]

TBH they do need a second home if they live more than say 50 miles from the constituency.

As said before - accomodation block would work

[Kevin Wood]

I think you have to remember that they are running a constituency office and not just looking after themselves, so I can understand there will be Office, IT, Staff and other costs associated with that. Whether the constituents get their money's worth from that office is another matter though.

I would much rather see all these facilities provided on a more commercial footing. After all, if my employer wanted me to set up a branch office somewhere remote they wouldn't be likely to send me off with a blank cheque to get on with it. Human resources, IT, Supplies, etc. would be centrally administered, there would be no employing members of my family (unless they were successful in a recruitment process through their own merits) and hence more accountable and (likely) more efficient.

As for accommodation, again, they should get a reasonable commercial allowance for nights spent away from home that might pay for a meal and a night in a Travelodge, or perhaps the provision of a dormitory room. If they feel the need to surround themselves with moats and John Lewis furnishings that's what their salaries are for.

I have to say, it's not just MPs who live "outside London" who should qualify for this. I would regard London to be a reasonable commute from most of the South and Midlands for the day or two a week they actually turn up.

Kevin

[Lizzie_Zoom]

I think you have to remember that they are running a constituency office and not just looking after themselves, so I can understand there will be Office, IT, Staff and other costs associated with that. Whether the constituents get their money's worth from that office is another matter though.

I would much rather see all these facilities provided on a more commercial footing. After all, if my employer wanted me to set up a branch office somewhere remote they wouldn't be likely to send me off with a blank cheque to get on with it. Human resources, IT, Supplies, etc. would be centrally administered, there would be no employing members of my family (unless they were successful in a recruitment process through their own merits) and hence more accountable and (likely) more efficient.

As for accommodation, again, they should get a reasonable commercial allowance for nights spent away from home that might pay for a meal and a night in a Travelodge, or perhaps the provision of a dormitory room. If they feel the need to surround themselves with moats and John Lewis furnishings that's what their salaries are for.

I have to say, it's not just MPs who live "outside London" who should qualify for this. I would regard London to be a reasonable commute from most of the South and Midlands for the day or two a week they actually turn up.

Kevin

Spot on there Kevin, as you say that is what happens in the commercial world.

These MP's are running GB plc and as a business should be run under commercial rules with full independent auditing.  However, the public are very naive if they believe MP's will have no costs associated with running the business of Parliament.  I certainly cost my employer enough in running a Divisional Office, with staff, and staying away in hotels on business, let alone my motoring costs travelling 2,000 miles per week.   That's business!

[bigboykarl]

i live in barnsley yet choose to work in london but i don't have a gravy train expense account to pay for my digs in london...you see i have to factor in what i would make in yorkshire against my london pay +digs + fuel.....

[Lizzie_Zoom]

i live in barnsley yet choose to work in london but i don't have a gravy train expense account to pay for my digs in london...you see i have to factor in what i would make in yorkshire against my london pay +digs + fuel.....

Don't get me wrong, "gravy train" expenses are wrong, especially in the case of some of the MP's claims which have been discussed in depth on this forum.  However, if you operate at a high level in business for your company then you are required to stay away, travelling all over the place, without any option open to you, apart from either doing it or getting out.  You therefore have to claim for all reasonable expenses incurred whilst discharging your executive duties, as you should never be out of pocket.

Like it or not, this is what our MP's are entitled to do as well, working at a very high business level to satisfy the business of GB plc. Depending on their position within Parliament (the Head Office), they occupy either 'director' positions(the Cabinet), field management positions (the front benches of the government & opposition) or general staff (back bench MP's).  On this basis, as in any other business, they receive salaries commensurate to their position and job responsibilities.  Their expenses should be linked to these managerial levels, and their job requirements, but of course ONLY that.

NOT garden maintenance, duck houses, mortgage payments, televisions, furniture, or anything that has nothing to do with running the business.  I would have been quickly sacked if I had claimed for anything outside that criteria.  

[crazyjoetavola]

Don't get me wrong, "gravy train" expenses are wrong, especially in the case of some of the MP's claims which have been discussed in depth on this forum.  However, if you operate at a high level in business for your company then you are required to stay away, travelling all over the place, without any option open to you, apart from either doing it or getting out.  You therefore have to claim for all reasonable expenses incurred whilst discharging your executive duties, as you should never be out of pocket.

Like it or not, this is what our MP's are entitled to do as well, working at a very high business level to satisfy the business of GB plc. Depending on their position within Parliament (the Head Office), they occupy either 'director' positions(the Cabinet), field management positions (the front benches of the government & opposition) or general staff (back bench MP's).  On this basis, as in any other business, they receive salaries commensurate to their position and job responsibilities.  Their expenses should be linked to these managerial levels, and their job requirements, but of course ONLY that.

NOT garden maintenance, duck houses, mortgage payments, televisions, furniture, or anything that has nothing to do with running the business.  I would have been quickly sacked if I had claimed for anything outside that criteria.  

A very sound analysis Ms Zoom

Spot on there Kevin, as you say that is what happens in the commercial world.

These MP's are running GB plc and as a business should be run under commercial rules with full independent auditing.  However, the public are very naive if they believe MP's will have no costs associated with running the business of Parliament.  I certainly cost my employer enough in running a Divisional Office, with staff, and staying away in hotels on business, let alone my motoring costs travelling 2,000 miles per week.   That's business!

That is the critical factor Ms Zoom - without it the system will always be at risk - and the populace will never get to the point of accepting that our legislators are playing by the rules