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Big cuts in AMs' expenses agreed Big cuts in AMs' expenses agreed
(about 2 hours later)
A report which called for substantial cuts in the expenses Welsh Assembly Members can claim has been accepted, senior AMs have indicated. Substantial cuts have been agreed in the expenses which can be claimed by Welsh Assembly Members.
The report, by Sir Roger Jones, proposed the scrapping of allowances including the payment of interest on mortgages on AMs' second homes. AMs backed the changes put forward in a report, including scrapping interest payments on mortgages for their second homes after the next election.
The Assembly Commission considered the report, by Sir Roger Jones last night. Presiding Officer Dafydd Elis-Thomas said the Assembly Commission had agreed to all the report's proposals.
Conservative commissioner William Graham said the plans "were agreed with ease" at the meeting. The commission, which includes representatives from all four parties, took the decision on behalf of AMs.
Mr Graham made the comments on the BBC Wales am.pm programme, a couple of hours before Presiding Officer Dafydd Elis Thomas is due to make an official statement to AMs on the matter. Sir Roger Jones's report, Getting it Right for Wales, followed a 10-month investigation of the pay and expenses of AMs.
All four political parties are represented on the commission. Its implementation will mean that, after the next assembly election in 2011, AMs will no longer be able to claim mortgage interest on second homes.
Labour commissioner Lorraine Barrett also indicated the report had been accepted, saying there were were "bits and pieces" in the report that not all AMs would like but "you can't unpick it". Some 25 of them will, however, be able to rent accommodation within five miles of the assembly in Cardiff Bay, half the number of AMs currently entitled to a second home allowance.
Under the plans, proposed by an independent panel chaired by Sir Roger, AMs would no longer be able to claim mortgage interest on second homes but 25 of the 60 politicians could rent accommodation near Cardiff Bay instead. KEY PROPOSALS OF REPORT AMs to rent, not buy, second homesSecond homes for 25 instead of 51 out of the 60 AMsReceipt for every claim£30.65 overnight (food) allowance scrappedNo employment of AMs' family members in futureNo more claims for furniture or fittings on second homesIndependent valuation of office rent payments by AMs to political partiesAMs' pay linked to average earnings not MPs' salariesSource: Getting it Right for Wales class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/06_07_09_gettingitrightforwales_report.pdf">Click here for the Getting it Right for Wales report (2.67MB) Most computers will open PDF documents automatically, but you may need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader. href="http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html">Download the reader here
AMs would also not be able to claim for furniture and fittings on second homes. AMs will not be able to employ family members in future but any existing arrangements will continue.
KEY PROPOSALS AMs to rent not buy second homesSecond homes for 25 instead of 51 out of the 60 AMsReceipt for every claim£30.65 overnight (food) allowance scrappedNo employment of AMs' family members in futureNo more claims for furniture or fittings on second homesIndependent valuation of office rent payments by AMs to political partiesAMs' pay linked to average earnings not MPs' salariesSource: Getting it Right for Wales class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/06_07_09_gettingitrightforwales_report.pdf">Click here for the Getting it Right for Wales report (2.67MB) Most computers will open PDF documents automatically, but you may need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader. href="http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html">Download the reader here The current link between AMs' pay and MPs' salaries will also be broken.
The changes would come into effect in May 2011. AMs' salaries will be increased in line with inflation next year and in future be linked to changes in average earnings in Wales.
The report, Getting it Right for Wales, followed a 10-month investigation of the pay and expenses of AMs. The current "daily allowance" of £30.65 for members on assembly business to spend on meals will also be scrapped "as soon as possible".
At present 51 of the AMs are entitled to a second home allowance for attending the assembly in Cardiff. Lord Elis-Thomas said work would begin "immediately" on implementing the changes.
That number would more than halve after 2011 if the proposals are accepted. He said: "That these changes have been endorsed during the year in which we mark the tenth anniversary of devolution is a testament to the assembly's maturity and is a signal that the assembly is committed to operating in ways that are right for Wales.
AMs would no longer be able to employ family members in future but any existing arrangements would continue. "(The report) addresses the contentious issues of remuneration and financial support - issues which have been such a stumbling block to people truly engaging in the democratic process.
Key recommendations also include ensuring every expenses claim would require a receipt and "appropriate documentary evidence". "But of equal importance, it places a strong emphasis on ensuring the capacity of the assembly and Members to undertake our work - to represent the interests of Wales and its people, make laws for Wales and hold the Welsh government to account."
The current link between AMs' pay and MPs' salaries would also be broken. Earlier, Conservative AM and commission member William Graham told the BBC Wales am.pm that the plans "were agreed with ease" at a meeting on Tuesday evening.
The report argues AMs' salaries should be increased in line with inflation next year and in future be fixed for each four-year assembly term. Labour commissioner Lorraine Barrett said there were "bits and pieces" in the report that not all AMs would like, but "you can't unpick it".
AMs' earnings would, under the new system, be linked to changes in average earnings in Wales and set by an independent review body.
The current "daily allowance" of £30.65 for members on assembly business to spend on meals would be scrapped "as soon as possible".