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MP mortgage claims 'to be banned' MP mortgage claims 'to be banned'
(20 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.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.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 cutAllowances 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.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 inner 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 MPWe 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.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. 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, she added.
Party leaders have indicated they will accept the committee's recommendations, barring any exceptional circumstances.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.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''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.
KEY PROPOSALS MPs to rent second homes onlyBan on MPs employing family members on Commons payrollBan on MPs close to London claiming second home allowanceAllowances for inner London MPs to be reducedChanges phased in over five years
"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."
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.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". But he said there was widespread concern about stopping the relatives of MPs working in their Commons offices, saying there were "clear legal ramifications".
"You cannot just tear up contracts of employment like that," he said."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". 'Great shame'
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.
The wife of Tory MP Roger Gale, who has worked for her husband for 26 years, said she would be consulting her lawyers if it turned out that she and other MPs' spouses would no longer be able to do so.
"It just seems a great shame, due to a huge amount of public misconception, that we are almost being branded sleazy when we have worked very, very hard for many years," Suzy Gale told the BBC.
In other reaction, 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.But he said it was important the recommendations commanded the support of the public as well as the political elite.
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.
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.