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| MPs warned over expenses overhaul | MPs warned over expenses overhaul |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| The man who will introduce a new system for MPs' expenses has suggested he will not feel bound to implement all reforms recommended after the recent scandal. | |
| Sir Ian Kennedy, head of the new external regulator, said he would consult on other options in some cases. | |
| All party leaders want sweeping reforms proposed by Sir Christopher Kelly in November to be implemented in full. | All party leaders want sweeping reforms proposed by Sir Christopher Kelly in November to be implemented in full. |
| These include a ban on mortgage claims for second homes and on MPs employing spouses and relatives on their payroll. | These include a ban on mortgage claims for second homes and on MPs employing spouses and relatives on their payroll. |
| Key principles | Key principles |
| Other recommendations would require MPs making a capital gain on the sale of a publicly subsidised home to repay the money, prevent MPs within "a reasonable commuting distance" of London from having second homes funded out of the public purse and reduce the pay-offs to MPs standing down between elections. | Other recommendations would require MPs making a capital gain on the sale of a publicly subsidised home to repay the money, prevent MPs within "a reasonable commuting distance" of London from having second homes funded out of the public purse and reduce the pay-offs to MPs standing down between elections. |
| Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg have endorsed all the recommendations put forward by Sir Christopher's committee as a way of rebuilding trust in Parliament in the wake of revelations of abuses by some MPs. | Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg have endorsed all the recommendations put forward by Sir Christopher's committee as a way of rebuilding trust in Parliament in the wake of revelations of abuses by some MPs. |
| There are areas where it is right to ask questions about how you translate recommendations into practice Sir Ian Kennedy, IPSA chair Q&A: Expenses row explained Kelly's main recommendations | There are areas where it is right to ask questions about how you translate recommendations into practice Sir Ian Kennedy, IPSA chair Q&A: Expenses row explained Kelly's main recommendations |
| But there has been speculation as to how many of these will be adopted by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA), the new external body approved by MPs to devise and enforce the new system. | But there has been speculation as to how many of these will be adopted by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA), the new external body approved by MPs to devise and enforce the new system. |
| Some MPs have expressed concerns that Kelly's reform package will be "cherry-picked" with some proposals watered down. | Some MPs have expressed concerns that Kelly's reform package will be "cherry-picked" with some proposals watered down. |
| Speaking in London, Sir Ian said he regarded the Kelly recommendations as a foundation for the new system, saying the principles laid out by the ex-civil servant for what was needed were "unimpeachable". | Speaking in London, Sir Ian said he regarded the Kelly recommendations as a foundation for the new system, saying the principles laid out by the ex-civil servant for what was needed were "unimpeachable". |
| "We respect very gratefully what Kelly has produced. We are building a scheme around Kelly." | "We respect very gratefully what Kelly has produced. We are building a scheme around Kelly." |
| But he stressed that some of the Kelly reforms would require further legislation, something that he could not influence. | But he stressed that some of the Kelly reforms would require further legislation, something that he could not influence. |
| He added: "We are an independent body. We have to make our own way and have to win the confidence of everybody that we are making our own way." | He added: "We are an independent body. We have to make our own way and have to win the confidence of everybody that we are making our own way." |
| IPSA will publish a consultation paper on its proposed new expenses regime on Thursday - focusing on key areas such as travel, subsistence, accommodation and staff costs - in the hope of having it up and running for after the general election. | IPSA will publish a consultation paper on its proposed new expenses regime on Thursday - focusing on key areas such as travel, subsistence, accommodation and staff costs - in the hope of having it up and running for after the general election. |
| Although not prepared to give details of specific recommendations, Sir Ian said the paper would effectively indicate where it agreed with Kelly and where it believed alternatives were worth considering. | Although not prepared to give details of specific recommendations, Sir Ian said the paper would effectively indicate where it agreed with Kelly and where it believed alternatives were worth considering. |
| "There are areas where it is right to ask questions about how you translate recommendations into practice," he added. | "There are areas where it is right to ask questions about how you translate recommendations into practice," he added. |
| "Some of the [Kelly] recommendations really need some working through and there may be options available." | "Some of the [Kelly] recommendations really need some working through and there may be options available." |
| 'Clean sheet' | 'Clean sheet' |
| There is a consensus behind most of the main proposals, including a future ban on mortgage interest claims on second homes, outlawing the practice of "flipping" homes and restricting expenses claims to items such as utility and phone bills - excluding gardening and cleaning claims. | There is a consensus behind most of the main proposals, including a future ban on mortgage interest claims on second homes, outlawing the practice of "flipping" homes and restricting expenses claims to items such as utility and phone bills - excluding gardening and cleaning claims. |
| But some of the recommendations, particularly that of barring spouses and family members from MPs' payrolls after a transitional period of five years, are controversial and unpopular with many MPs. | But some of the recommendations, particularly that of barring spouses and family members from MPs' payrolls after a transitional period of five years, are controversial and unpopular with many MPs. |
| Sir Ian said the new system must be "clear, workable and fair" for MPs and "command the support and confidence of the public". | Sir Ian said the new system must be "clear, workable and fair" for MPs and "command the support and confidence of the public". |
| As well as consulting MPs and other interested parties, he will be holding meetings around the UK to hear the public's views and said he would take on board any idea "no matter where it comes from". | As well as consulting MPs and other interested parties, he will be holding meetings around the UK to hear the public's views and said he would take on board any idea "no matter where it comes from". |
| "We must not allow our Parliament to become synonymous with moats, duck houses and bath plugs," he added. | "We must not allow our Parliament to become synonymous with moats, duck houses and bath plugs," he added. |
| "It is everybody's task to make things better." | "It is everybody's task to make things better." |
| But the BBC's political correspondent Gary O'Donoghue said it was not clear how wide and far-reaching the consultation would be. | But the BBC's political correspondent Gary O'Donoghue said it was not clear how wide and far-reaching the consultation would be. |
| Sir Ian said the new Parliament voted in at the next election must start with a "clean sheet" when it came to expenses. | Sir Ian said the new Parliament voted in at the next election must start with a "clean sheet" when it came to expenses. |
| But he warned that timing was tight and a new system would not be in place in time if the poll was held before May, the date on which most observers believe it will take place. | But he warned that timing was tight and a new system would not be in place in time if the poll was held before May, the date on which most observers believe it will take place. |