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MPs to vote on expenses changes MPs to vote on expenses changes
(about 3 hours later)
MPs are to vote on moves to increase the scrutiny of their expenses and the rules under which they are declared. MPs are debating moves to increase the scrutiny of their expenses and the rules under which they are declared.
They will debate plans to involve the National Audit Office in some checks and to increase the number of headings under which details are published. They will vote later on plans for new National Audit Office checks and to increase the number of headings under which details are published.
On Wednesday, the government shelved proposals for a vote on whether to exempt details of MPs' expenses from the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.On Wednesday, the government shelved proposals for a vote on whether to exempt details of MPs' expenses from the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.
This followed pressure from the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.This followed pressure from the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.
They said the government had made a "humiliating climbdown" in the face of public pressure, with one MP saying it would have been "monstrous" for MPs to effectively ignore the FOI legislation which they had introduced.They said the government had made a "humiliating climbdown" in the face of public pressure, with one MP saying it would have been "monstrous" for MPs to effectively ignore the FOI legislation which they had introduced.
Proposed changesProposed changes
But MPs will still vote on Thursday on a move to publish expenses under 26 headings - previously they were published under nine.But MPs will still vote on Thursday on a move to publish expenses under 26 headings - previously they were published under nine.
The High Court ruled last year that details of claims made under the £24,000-a-year second homes allowance, including receipts, should be published in the interests of transparency.The High Court ruled last year that details of claims made under the £24,000-a-year second homes allowance, including receipts, should be published in the interests of transparency.
The government has said it will consult further on the full publication of expenses information amid growing recriminations on both sides over the issue.The government has said it will consult further on the full publication of expenses information amid growing recriminations on both sides over the issue.
Some MPs are clearly desperate to prevent the release of past expenses claims Maurice Frankel, Campaign for Freedom of Information Q&A: MP expenses rowSome MPs are clearly desperate to prevent the release of past expenses claims Maurice Frankel, Campaign for Freedom of Information Q&A: MP expenses row
Asked what would happen to receipts for MPs' spending between 2005 and 2008 - which were due to be published in October following the legal ruling but whose release was then delayed - Commons leader Harriet Harman said she would speak to the Parliamentary authorities about how to proceed.Asked what would happen to receipts for MPs' spending between 2005 and 2008 - which were due to be published in October following the legal ruling but whose release was then delayed - Commons leader Harriet Harman said she would speak to the Parliamentary authorities about how to proceed.
As it stands, these 1.3 million receipts - covering spending on second homes, travel and office costs - could be published before July although this has not been confirmed.As it stands, these 1.3 million receipts - covering spending on second homes, travel and office costs - could be published before July although this has not been confirmed.
Thursday's vote will focus on how expenses are audited and the type of information published.Thursday's vote will focus on how expenses are audited and the type of information published.
Currently, the overall amount claimed by every MP is published each year, broken down into nine categories.Currently, the overall amount claimed by every MP is published each year, broken down into nine categories.
If government proposals are backed by MPs, information about telephone and energy bills, as well as mortgage and rental payments on second homes, will be published for the first time.If government proposals are backed by MPs, information about telephone and energy bills, as well as mortgage and rental payments on second homes, will be published for the first time.
Expenses claims will also, in future, be liable to spot checks by the National Audit Office.Expenses claims will also, in future, be liable to spot checks by the National Audit Office.
Ms Harman said the new system would be "tough and robust", with "more information" than ever made available.Ms Harman said the new system would be "tough and robust", with "more information" than ever made available.
Cost concernsCost concerns
Freedom of Information (FOI) campaigners have insisted that all receipts for individual claims must be published to maintain public confidence in Parliament and to uphold standards. Freedom of information (FOI) campaigners have insisted that all receipts for individual claims must be published to maintain public confidence in Parliament and to uphold standards.
They accuse MPs of dragging their feet on the issue.They accuse MPs of dragging their feet on the issue.
"Some MPs are clearly desperate to prevent the release of past expenses claims which are likely to have exceeded what could reasonably be justified to the public," said Maurice Frankel, from the Campaign for Freedom of Information."Some MPs are clearly desperate to prevent the release of past expenses claims which are likely to have exceeded what could reasonably be justified to the public," said Maurice Frankel, from the Campaign for Freedom of Information.
The Scottish Parliament already publishes details of its members' claims, including receipts, on the internet.The Scottish Parliament already publishes details of its members' claims, including receipts, on the internet.
But ministers have expressed concerns about the cost of doing this, given the need to scan every document and edit out confidential details like bank accounts and telephone numbers.But ministers have expressed concerns about the cost of doing this, given the need to scan every document and edit out confidential details like bank accounts and telephone numbers.
The process of preparing the 1.3 million receipts for publication is estimated to have cost £950,000.The process of preparing the 1.3 million receipts for publication is estimated to have cost £950,000.
MP's expenses have been the subject of controversy since it emerged last year that Conservative MP Derek Conway had paid his son, a student, more than £40,000 to act as a researcher when an inquiry found he had done no work.MP's expenses have been the subject of controversy since it emerged last year that Conservative MP Derek Conway had paid his son, a student, more than £40,000 to act as a researcher when an inquiry found he had done no work.
A long-running legal campaign, which ultimately forced the publication of details of 14 MPs expenses, also laid bare the amount MPs could claim under their second homes allowance for items such as fridges, TVs and kitchens.A long-running legal campaign, which ultimately forced the publication of details of 14 MPs expenses, also laid bare the amount MPs could claim under their second homes allowance for items such as fridges, TVs and kitchens.
Several changes have already been made as a result of this.Several changes have already been made as a result of this.
MPs now have to declare any family members they employ and are only able to claim a maximum of £25 without producing a receipt as opposed to £250 previously.MPs now have to declare any family members they employ and are only able to claim a maximum of £25 without producing a receipt as opposed to £250 previously.
In 2006-7, the last year for which information is available, MPs claimed £87.6m, the average claim totalling £135,000.In 2006-7, the last year for which information is available, MPs claimed £87.6m, the average claim totalling £135,000.