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| MPs to outline expenses changes | MPs to outline expenses changes |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| Tighter auditing and inspection of MPs' expenses are expected to be recommended in a report by a Commons committee. | Tighter auditing and inspection of MPs' expenses are expected to be recommended in a report by a Commons committee. |
| Six MPs have considered options such as a "top-up" payment of more than £20,000 to replace the second homes allowance. MPs will vote on options next week. | Six MPs have considered options such as a "top-up" payment of more than £20,000 to replace the second homes allowance. MPs will vote on options next week. |
| A "root and branch" review was launched after a row over Tory MP Derek Conway, who paid his son from the public purse for reportedly little work. | A "root and branch" review was launched after a row over Tory MP Derek Conway, who paid his son from the public purse for reportedly little work. |
| But critics say MPs should have let an independent body review the system. | But critics say MPs should have let an independent body review the system. |
| Sources have told the BBC the report will recommend a more robust system of auditing and inspection of MPs' claims - until recently MPs could claim up to £250 a month without needing to provide a receipt. | Sources have told the BBC the report will recommend a more robust system of auditing and inspection of MPs' claims - until recently MPs could claim up to £250 a month without needing to provide a receipt. |
| Greater transparency | Greater transparency |
| The BBC understands the review will reject the options of a fixed daily allowance or of a lump-sum payment of up to £20,000 to replace the second-home allowance. Conservative leader David Cameron has already dismissed such notions as a bad idea. | The BBC understands the review will reject the options of a fixed daily allowance or of a lump-sum payment of up to £20,000 to replace the second-home allowance. Conservative leader David Cameron has already dismissed such notions as a bad idea. |
| Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said greater transparency is required and Downing Street sources say he will back any proposals providing it. | Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said greater transparency is required and Downing Street sources say he will back any proposals providing it. |
| A series of recommendations will be published at 1000 BST by the Commons Members Estimate Committee, headed up by Speaker Michael Martin. They will then debated and voted on in the House of Commons on 3 July. | A series of recommendations will be published at 1000 BST by the Commons Members Estimate Committee, headed up by Speaker Michael Martin. They will then debated and voted on in the House of Commons on 3 July. |
| However well the Members Estimates Committee do their work ... the rest of us are bound to doubt the outcome Sir Christopher KellyCommittee for Standards in Public life | However well the Members Estimates Committee do their work ... the rest of us are bound to doubt the outcome Sir Christopher KellyCommittee for Standards in Public life |
| One option is likely to be a top-up payment, thought to worth up to £24,000 a year, to replace their second homes allowance. | One option is likely to be a top-up payment, thought to worth up to £24,000 a year, to replace their second homes allowance. |
| Currently MPs can claim about £23,000 a year to run a second residence - the average claim is £19,500. | Currently MPs can claim about £23,000 a year to run a second residence - the average claim is £19,500. |
| A flat grant would mean MPs avoid the scrutiny of submitting receipts - as demanded by a recent Freedom of Information battle. | A flat grant would mean MPs avoid the scrutiny of submitting receipts - as demanded by a recent Freedom of Information battle. |
| 'John Lewis list' | 'John Lewis list' |
| Commons authorities lost the High Court battle to keep secret details of how much and what MPs had claimed money for under that allowance. | Commons authorities lost the High Court battle to keep secret details of how much and what MPs had claimed money for under that allowance. |
| There has been some criticism that a review of MPs' expenses has been carried out by MPs themselves. | There has been some criticism that a review of MPs' expenses has been carried out by MPs themselves. |
| Parliamentary standards watchdog Sir Christopher Kelly said this month he was "baffled" as to why it had been thought appropriate, as it would not command as much public confidence as it would if there had been outside involvement. | Parliamentary standards watchdog Sir Christopher Kelly said this month he was "baffled" as to why it had been thought appropriate, as it would not command as much public confidence as it would if there had been outside involvement. |
| "The difficulty is that however well the Members Estimates Committee do their work - and I have no doubt they will do so with great integrity and objectivity - the rest of us are bound to doubt the outcome," he said. | "The difficulty is that however well the Members Estimates Committee do their work - and I have no doubt they will do so with great integrity and objectivity - the rest of us are bound to doubt the outcome," he said. |
| MPs' expenses were criticised earlier this year when the so-called "John Lewis list" of household items that MPs can purchase was published. | MPs' expenses were criticised earlier this year when the so-called "John Lewis list" of household items that MPs can purchase was published. |
| Under the ACA system, not only can MPs use the £23,000 limit to claim expenses towards paying the mortgage or rent on second flats or houses, but they can also use it to claim towards the costs of upkeep and refurbishment and for food. | Under the ACA system, not only can MPs use the £23,000 limit to claim expenses towards paying the mortgage or rent on second flats or houses, but they can also use it to claim towards the costs of upkeep and refurbishment and for food. |
| When the Commons was forced to disclose the cash limits for these other expenses, the list was found to include allowances for items such as £10,000 towards a kitchens and £6,000 towards a bathroom. | When the Commons was forced to disclose the cash limits for these other expenses, the list was found to include allowances for items such as £10,000 towards a kitchens and £6,000 towards a bathroom. |