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Clegg: Accept all expense reforms Clegg: Accept all expense reforms
(19 minutes later)
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has warned that MPs must accept proposed expenses reforms "lock, stock and barrel" when an independent inquiry reports later.Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has warned that MPs must accept proposed expenses reforms "lock, stock and barrel" when an independent inquiry reports later.
He told the Telegraph there must be no "backsliding" and letting an arms-length agency decide which reforms to take forward would be "ludicrous". He told the Telegraph there must be no "backsliding" and letting an arm's-length agency decide which reforms to take forward would be "ludicrous".
Proposals may include banning mortgage claims and MPs employing relatives.Proposals may include banning mortgage claims and MPs employing relatives.
Some MPs want a vote on proposals while some relatives who work for them say they will fight to keep their jobs.Some MPs want a vote on proposals while some relatives who work for them say they will fight to keep their jobs.
Sir Christopher Kelly will publish his long-awaited report setting out proposals for changes to the heavily criticised system of MPs' expenses at about 1000 GMT.Sir Christopher Kelly will publish his long-awaited report setting out proposals for changes to the heavily criticised system of MPs' expenses at about 1000 GMT.
'New dawn''New dawn'
Commons Leader Harriet Harman will deliver a statement on Sir Christopher's report at 1230 GMT, following prime minister's questions.Commons Leader Harriet Harman will deliver a statement on Sir Christopher's report at 1230 GMT, following prime minister's questions.
The BBC understands that Commons Speaker John Bercow will also tell MPs not to try to "block, neuter or minimise reform".The BBC understands that Commons Speaker John Bercow will also tell MPs not to try to "block, neuter or minimise reform".
BBC political editor Nick Robinson says the Speaker is "determined this will be a day which is seen as ushering in a new dawn for MPs and not one in which they are seen to protect themselves".BBC political editor Nick Robinson says the Speaker is "determined this will be a day which is seen as ushering in a new dawn for MPs and not one in which they are seen to protect themselves".
LEAKED PROPOSALS MPs to claim for rent not mortgagesBan on employing relativesBan on MPs near London claiming for second homeEnd to £25-a-day subsistence claimsReduced resettlement grantsReduced travel claims MPs 'facing major expenses cuts' Will MPs accept expenses reforms?LEAKED PROPOSALS MPs to claim for rent not mortgagesBan on employing relativesBan on MPs near London claiming for second homeEnd to £25-a-day subsistence claimsReduced resettlement grantsReduced travel claims MPs 'facing major expenses cuts' Will MPs accept expenses reforms?
A new regime can only become law if it is adopted by the newly created Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, after another period of consultation, and not until after the next election.A new regime can only become law if it is adopted by the newly created Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, after another period of consultation, and not until after the next election.
But Mr Clegg said the authority should make clear immediately "that it sees its role as implementing Sir Christopher's proposals in their entirety".But Mr Clegg said the authority should make clear immediately "that it sees its role as implementing Sir Christopher's proposals in their entirety".
He wrote: "We would be committing a spectacular own goal if we were seen as getting involved in monkey business by trying to wriggle out of the straitjacket that Sir Christopher seeks to impose."He wrote: "We would be committing a spectacular own goal if we were seen as getting involved in monkey business by trying to wriggle out of the straitjacket that Sir Christopher seeks to impose."
He also accused the government of sending out "mixed signals" on the reforms - after Commons leader Harriet Harman told the BBC it would not be "fair" to sack relatives who already work for MPs. He also accused the government of sending out "mixed signals" on the reforms - after Commons Leader Harriet Harman told the BBC it would not be "fair" to sack relatives who already worked for MPs.
Phased inPhased in
Leaks suggest Sir Christopher will recommend a wide range of cuts to MPs' allowances and an end to the practice whereby MPs can employ their relatives - more than 200 currently do so.Leaks suggest Sir Christopher will recommend a wide range of cuts to MPs' allowances and an end to the practice whereby MPs can employ their relatives - more than 200 currently do so.
Other proposals are expected to include stopping MPs being able to buy homes and claim the mortgage interest payments on expenses - instead MPs would only be able to claim towards rent.Other proposals are expected to include stopping MPs being able to buy homes and claim the mortgage interest payments on expenses - instead MPs would only be able to claim towards rent.
A resettlement grant paid to MPs who stand down or lose their seats at a general election is expected to be significantly reduced and the controversial £10,400-a-year communications allowance is expected to be axed.A resettlement grant paid to MPs who stand down or lose their seats at a general election is expected to be significantly reduced and the controversial £10,400-a-year communications allowance is expected to be axed.
Speculation around Sir Christopher's proposals has been rifeSpeculation around Sir Christopher's proposals has been rife
Any changes, if adopted by the new standards authority, are likely to be phased in over several years. More than 100 MPs are already expected to stand down at the next general election.Any changes, if adopted by the new standards authority, are likely to be phased in over several years. More than 100 MPs are already expected to stand down at the next general election.
The review by Sir Christopher Kelly's Committee on Standards in Public Life, comes after the MPs' expenses scandal in which MPs' claims for items including duck islands and moat cleaning, for mortgages that were already paid off and the practice of "flipping" designated second homes were exposed.The review by Sir Christopher Kelly's Committee on Standards in Public Life, comes after the MPs' expenses scandal in which MPs' claims for items including duck islands and moat cleaning, for mortgages that were already paid off and the practice of "flipping" designated second homes were exposed.
Sir Christopher will also reportedly tell MPs that his reforms must be accepted in full as quickly as possible.Sir Christopher will also reportedly tell MPs that his reforms must be accepted in full as quickly as possible.
Sleaze watchdogSleaze watchdog
The government has said it will be up to the new authority to implement any changes to the expenses regime - but some MPs want a vote on the reforms.The government has said it will be up to the new authority to implement any changes to the expenses regime - but some MPs want a vote on the reforms.
IPSA has only just been set up and does not yet have a chairman or management board, although the BBC understands that Professor Sir Ian Kennedy, an expert in medical ethics, is to be named as its chairman.IPSA has only just been set up and does not yet have a chairman or management board, although the BBC understands that Professor Sir Ian Kennedy, an expert in medical ethics, is to be named as its chairman.
Martin Bell, the former BBC correspondent who stood as an anti-sleaze MP in 1997, questioned whether the reforms would be implemented by the new body which can be " appointed by MPs and can be dismissed by MPs".Martin Bell, the former BBC correspondent who stood as an anti-sleaze MP in 1997, questioned whether the reforms would be implemented by the new body which can be " appointed by MPs and can be dismissed by MPs".
But Eve Burt, who works for her husband the Conservative MP Alistair Burt, told the BBC any changes to staffing arrangements should only apply to new MPs - in line with pension changes in other professions. But Eve Burt, who works for her husband, the Conservative MP Alistair Burt, told the BBC any changes to staffing arrangements should apply only to new MPs - in line with pension changes in other professions.
"I hope Sir Christopher is going to look at those of us who currently work there and have employment contracts and have done a really good job, and actually get to carry on doing our job for the time being.""I hope Sir Christopher is going to look at those of us who currently work there and have employment contracts and have done a really good job, and actually get to carry on doing our job for the time being."
She added: "There are only about 200 of us that currently work out of the 3,000 staff that they have in Parliament and it would be nice if we were allowed to keep our jobs until our spouses .. leave Parliament." She added: "There are only about 200 of us that currently work out of the 3,000 staff that they have in Parliament and it would be nice if we were allowed to keep our jobs until our spouses... leave Parliament."