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Senior Tory calls for MP pay rise Senior Tory calls for MP pay rise
(about 8 hours later)
MPs should be paid more to cover the cost of having two homes and have their second home allowance removed, Conservative Theresa May has suggested.MPs should be paid more to cover the cost of having two homes and have their second home allowance removed, Conservative Theresa May has suggested.
Ms May, who is on the committee examining MPs' pay and expenses, said on BBC1's Politics Show that the basic salary of £61,820 should be increased. Ms May, who is on the committee examining MPs' pay and expenses, said on BBC One's Politics Show the basic salary of £61,820 should be increased.
The second home payment, some £22,000, for MPs from constituencies outside London should be cut, she added. The second home payment of £22,000 for MPs from constituencies outside London should be cut, she added.
Ms May also called for "a stricter regime" governing MPs' spending.Ms May also called for "a stricter regime" governing MPs' spending.
She sits on the Members' Estimates Committee, chaired by Speaker Michael Martin, which is carrying out a review of the MPs' expenses system.She sits on the Members' Estimates Committee, chaired by Speaker Michael Martin, which is carrying out a review of the MPs' expenses system.
The review was partly prompted by a critical parliamentary report into MP Derek Conway's employment of his son while he was a student. He was suspended from the Commons and had the Tory whip withdrawn.The review was partly prompted by a critical parliamentary report into MP Derek Conway's employment of his son while he was a student. He was suspended from the Commons and had the Tory whip withdrawn.
We should be operating on the same basis as people operate in the outside world Theresa MayShadow Commons leaderWe should be operating on the same basis as people operate in the outside world Theresa MayShadow Commons leader
The annual "additional costs allowance" can be used to pay the rent or mortgage on an MP's second home in London.The annual "additional costs allowance" can be used to pay the rent or mortgage on an MP's second home in London.
But Ms May said: "I think we should take that housing allowance out; that's my personal view.But Ms May said: "I think we should take that housing allowance out; that's my personal view.
"There would need to be an increase in salary because most MPs do have to have two homes, that's an extra cost of being a member of Parliament.""There would need to be an increase in salary because most MPs do have to have two homes, that's an extra cost of being a member of Parliament."
The current allowance system also allows for MPs to spend £400 a month on shopping without receipts.The current allowance system also allows for MPs to spend £400 a month on shopping without receipts.
Ms May said: "I think MPs should be putting in receipts. We should be operating on the same basis as people operate in the outside world."Ms May said: "I think MPs should be putting in receipts. We should be operating on the same basis as people operate in the outside world."
MPs are given allowances to run their office and pay their staff and there are no rules to stop wives, husbands, sons, daughters and other family members working for them.MPs are given allowances to run their office and pay their staff and there are no rules to stop wives, husbands, sons, daughters and other family members working for them.
Ms May also suggested that MPs' assistants should be employed by the House of Commons rather than paid out of the staffing allowance.Ms May also suggested that MPs' assistants should be employed by the House of Commons rather than paid out of the staffing allowance.
She called for a "stricter regime of receipts" to govern the fund for MPs to run their offices.She called for a "stricter regime of receipts" to govern the fund for MPs to run their offices.