In 2008 following a series of objections from MP's,
their expenses were finally disclosed. The disclosure of these expenses
revealed a number of irregularities in the amounts MP's were claiming, but also
what they were claiming for.
The tax paying public were over paying for Council tax, furnishings for second homes, over charging for food, making receipted claims and so on. The surprising part about this scandal wasn’t that it was happening, but it was to the extent at which it was happening. All major parties were involved in the scandal, some of whom were very senior in their party and very senior in the government.
Whilst I don’t believe that MP's should be out of pocket for fulfilling their role as a Member of Parliament (MP), I don’t believe they should profit either. I would like to see a number of changes made to make expenses fairer and more accountable, after all this is public money, which is in short supply at the moment.
I think the Government should purchase a series of apartments which are made available for the use of MP's. All bills relating to council tax, electricity, gas, water rates and other associated bills are sent directly to the government.
Whilst a central complex containing the countries MP's poses a security risk, I believe with good security strategy, using current security equipment and appropriate boundaries the risk posed will be minimal. The costs to this idea will initially be substantial, but the long term cost of this will far outweigh the benefits. At present each MP can claim around £20,000 per year for a place to live in London. This works out at around £13m per year. To purchase 650 apartments at £125,000 each would cost £82m. The cost to purchase obviously costs more in the short term, but the costs to purchase these apartments and use them for 30 years is still only £82m, where as if each MP were to claim their allowance it would cost around £390m so in 30 years to purchase apartments would save £308m. In addition to this, the government would still own all the real estate.
I propose the following:
The tax paying public were over paying for Council tax, furnishings for second homes, over charging for food, making receipted claims and so on. The surprising part about this scandal wasn’t that it was happening, but it was to the extent at which it was happening. All major parties were involved in the scandal, some of whom were very senior in their party and very senior in the government.
Whilst I don’t believe that MP's should be out of pocket for fulfilling their role as a Member of Parliament (MP), I don’t believe they should profit either. I would like to see a number of changes made to make expenses fairer and more accountable, after all this is public money, which is in short supply at the moment.
I think the Government should purchase a series of apartments which are made available for the use of MP's. All bills relating to council tax, electricity, gas, water rates and other associated bills are sent directly to the government.
Whilst a central complex containing the countries MP's poses a security risk, I believe with good security strategy, using current security equipment and appropriate boundaries the risk posed will be minimal. The costs to this idea will initially be substantial, but the long term cost of this will far outweigh the benefits. At present each MP can claim around £20,000 per year for a place to live in London. This works out at around £13m per year. To purchase 650 apartments at £125,000 each would cost £82m. The cost to purchase obviously costs more in the short term, but the costs to purchase these apartments and use them for 30 years is still only £82m, where as if each MP were to claim their allowance it would cost around £390m so in 30 years to purchase apartments would save £308m. In addition to this, the government would still own all the real estate.
I propose the following:
·
The Government purchases 650
apartments in or near to London (within commutable distance)
·
Instead of a rental/living allowance,
each MP upon being elected, recieves the keys to a government owned apartment
and once they leave office they hand the keys over
·
If an MP's constituency is London or
within commutable distance of London they will not be eligible for an apartment
·
Each apartment is furnished,
therefore negating the need to claim for additional furniture
·
Food bills should be paid providing
the MP can produce a receipt
·
MP's should be able to order
envelopes, paper, pens and other stationery through a central fund
·
Computers should be provided to each
MP to allow them to carry out their job
·
Expenses for travel should be paid as
long as receipts can be produced
On Twitter? Why not post me your questions : @ThePMCandidate
On Twitter? Why not post me your questions : @ThePMCandidate
Email : realchangerealpeople@ymail.com
The Candidate
