This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/8412990.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
MSPs 'should not employ family' Relatives employment ban for MSPs
(about 1 hour later)
MSPs should be banned from employing family members at taxpayers' expense, a review of the Scottish Parliament allowances system has recommended. MSPs are to be banned from employing family members at taxpayers' expense, Scottish Parliament bosses have said.
A report by Sir Neil McIntosh called for the practice to end in 2015 for existing employees, with an immediate block on new appointments. The practice, under which 26 MSPs employ spouses, children and other relatives, would end in 2015, with an immediate block on new appointments.
A total of 26 MSPs currently employ spouses, children and other relatives. The call came in a Holyrood allowances review by Sir Neil McIntosh, in the wake of the Westminster expenses row.
Sir Neil was called in by Holyrood bosses in the wake of the Westminster expenses scandal. Holyrood bosses said they intended to accept the report, which made 13 recommendations.
He said the Holyrood allowances system was "robust", adding there was nothing to suggest MSPs had abused the fact they were allowed to give jobs to relatives. Delivering his report, Sir Neil said the Holyrood allowances system was "robust", adding there was nothing to suggest MSPs had abused the fact they were allowed to give jobs to relatives.
But he added: "I believe that any expenses scheme which permits an elected MSP to access public funds to appoint and pay a family member as a direct employee carries an unacceptable risk of undermining public confidence and fuelling public cynicism."But he added: "I believe that any expenses scheme which permits an elected MSP to access public funds to appoint and pay a family member as a direct employee carries an unacceptable risk of undermining public confidence and fuelling public cynicism."
We have not seen the extremes of the Westminster situation, but receipted claims subject to audit and all in the public eye Sir Neil McIntoshWe have not seen the extremes of the Westminster situation, but receipted claims subject to audit and all in the public eye Sir Neil McIntosh
The recommendation on family members follows a similar one put forward under the review of Westminster allowances.The recommendation on family members follows a similar one put forward under the review of Westminster allowances.
Sir Neil said MSPs could employ relatives of another Holyrood member, but would have to publicly declare such appointments.Sir Neil said MSPs could employ relatives of another Holyrood member, but would have to publicly declare such appointments.
His report also said MSPs who had benefitted from the Edinburgh second homes allowance scheme, which is now being phased out, should give a "binding commitment" to pay capital gains tax is paid on properties when they were sold. His report also said MSPs who had benefitted from the Edinburgh second homes allowance scheme, which is now being phased out, should give a "binding commitment" to pay capital gains tax on properties when they were sold.
Speaking at Holyrood, Sir Neil said the Scottish Parliament expenses scheme, which was recently overhauled following a separate review, was a "sound platform" to build public trust.Speaking at Holyrood, Sir Neil said the Scottish Parliament expenses scheme, which was recently overhauled following a separate review, was a "sound platform" to build public trust.
He added: "We have not seen the extremes of the Westminster situation - no gardening, no cleaning, no home furniture, no payments without receipts, no second homes outside Edinburgh - but receipted claims subject to audit and all in the public eye.He added: "We have not seen the extremes of the Westminster situation - no gardening, no cleaning, no home furniture, no payments without receipts, no second homes outside Edinburgh - but receipted claims subject to audit and all in the public eye.
"It is to the credit of the parliament that this has been the case and that the scheme has shown itself to be robust.""It is to the credit of the parliament that this has been the case and that the scheme has shown itself to be robust."
The previous Holyrood allowances review, conducted by Sir Alan Langlands, said the practice where some MSPs could claim interest on the mortgages should end. Scottish Parliament Presiding Officer said Holyrood's management team, the corporate body, intended to accept the report "in full" and proposals would be put to MSPs for approval.
The previous Holyrood allowances review, conducted by Sir Alan Langlands, said the practice where some MSPs could claim interest on their mortgages should end.
Some MSPs were criticised for making money by buying and selling properties, part-funded by the taxpayer, under the Edinburgh accommodation allowance scheme.Some MSPs were criticised for making money by buying and selling properties, part-funded by the taxpayer, under the Edinburgh accommodation allowance scheme.
The allowance scheme had also drawn criticism for allowing members to make claims for council tax and TV licences.The allowance scheme had also drawn criticism for allowing members to make claims for council tax and TV licences.