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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| MP mortgage claims 'to be banned' | MP mortgage claims 'to be banned' |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| MPs will be banned from claiming the cost of mortgage interest payments on second homes under proposals being put forward, sources have told the BBC. | MPs will be banned from claiming the cost of mortgage interest payments on second homes under proposals being put forward, sources have told the BBC. |
| It is understood the Kelly committee, which has been reviewing MPs' expenses, will recommend MPs will only be able to rent second homes in future. | |
| The committee is also expected to recommend MPs will not be able to employ family members in the future. | |
| It is understood the changes will be phased in over five years. | It is understood the changes will be phased in over five years. |
| Allowances cut | Allowances cut |
| Sir Christopher Kelly, who was asked by Gordon Brown to suggest proposed reforms to the discredited system of MPs' expenses, is due to publish his report on 4 November. | Sir Christopher Kelly, who was asked by Gordon Brown to suggest proposed reforms to the discredited system of MPs' expenses, is due to publish his report on 4 November. |
| The BBC understands the committee will also recommend that MPs living within commuting distance of London will not be able to claim money towards a second home. | |
| MPs representing London constituencies are likely to see their allowances considerably reduced as well. | MPs representing London constituencies are likely to see their allowances considerably reduced as well. |
| We can't pick and choose which parts of the report we like John Mann, Labour MP | We can't pick and choose which parts of the report we like John Mann, Labour MP |
| BBC political correspondent Laura Kuenssberg said the proposals were radical and, if approved, would mean substantial changes to the way MPs conduct their lives. | |
| The recommendation that the reforms be phased in over five years would be seen as a move to appease MPs concerned their existing arrangements might be endangered. | |
| Party leaders have indicated they will accept the committee's recommendations, barring any exceptional circumstances. | |
| They hope the proposals will draw a line under the expenses scandal - which has forced a host of MPs to stand down from Parliament - and assuage public anger over excessive and inappropriate claims. | |
| 'Lock, stock and barrel' | |
| Labour MP John Mann said Parliament had to accept the recommendations "lock, stock and barrel" if it was to regain its "moral authority" after the damage of recent months. | Labour MP John Mann said Parliament had to accept the recommendations "lock, stock and barrel" if it was to regain its "moral authority" after the damage of recent months. |
| "We can't pick and choose which parts of the report we like," he said. | "We can't pick and choose which parts of the report we like," he said. |
| "We have to move decisively not to quibble about the detail but to move decisively to endorse the Kelly report and with urgency," he said. | "We have to move decisively not to quibble about the detail but to move decisively to endorse the Kelly report and with urgency," he said. |
| Fellow Labour MP Stephen Pound said he would be "absolutely amazed" if the ban on mortgage interest claims was not implemented immediately, saying it should be "good enough" for MPs to rent rooms in lodgings or to stay in hotels. | |
| But he said there was widespread concern about stopping the relatives of MPs working in the Commons, saying there were "clear legal ramifications". | |
| "You cannot just tear up contracts of employment like that," he said. | |
| Sir Alistair Graham, a former chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, said he believed the transitional arrangements being suggested seemed "sensible". | |
| But he said it was important the recommendations commanded the support of the public as well as the political elite. | |
| Repayments | Repayments |
| MPs have already repaid hundreds of thousands of pounds in expense claims even though their requests were allowed under the rules at the time and approved by the parliamentary authorities. | MPs have already repaid hundreds of thousands of pounds in expense claims even though their requests were allowed under the rules at the time and approved by the parliamentary authorities. |
| But MPs are facing further repayments after a review of all second home claims since 2004 by Sir Thomas Legg introduced retrospective limits for claims for gardening and cleaning. | But MPs are facing further repayments after a review of all second home claims since 2004 by Sir Thomas Legg introduced retrospective limits for claims for gardening and cleaning. |
| Unions representing Commons staff, including the spouses of MPs, have expressed concern about a potential ban on employing family members. | Unions representing Commons staff, including the spouses of MPs, have expressed concern about a potential ban on employing family members. |
| They have said they are considering legal action, saying such a move may amount to constructive dismissal and be discriminatory. | They have said they are considering legal action, saying such a move may amount to constructive dismissal and be discriminatory. |
| A spokesman for the Kelly committee has not commented on the reports, but it is understood Sir Christopher briefed the Conservative and Liberal Democrat leaders along with the cabinet secretary on Tuesday afternoon. | A spokesman for the Kelly committee has not commented on the reports, but it is understood Sir Christopher briefed the Conservative and Liberal Democrat leaders along with the cabinet secretary on Tuesday afternoon. |