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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
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| Expenses plans 'not watered down' | Expenses plans 'not watered down' |
| (28 minutes later) | |
| The man in charge of running a new system of MPs' expenses has denied watering down the radical reforms proposed after a six-month inquiry. | The man in charge of running a new system of MPs' expenses has denied watering down the radical reforms proposed after a six-month inquiry. |
| Sir Ian Kennedy has launched a fresh consultation on the plans which include a ban on MPs claiming mortgage payments or employing their relatives. | Sir Ian Kennedy has launched a fresh consultation on the plans which include a ban on MPs claiming mortgage payments or employing their relatives. |
| But he told the BBC he agreed with both those rules being changed. | But he told the BBC he agreed with both those rules being changed. |
| He also suggests MPs with children may be able to claim more and generous pay-offs to retiring MPs should end. | He also suggests MPs with children may be able to claim more and generous pay-offs to retiring MPs should end. |
| Sir Ian is chairman of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) which will run a new system of MPs' expenses - it is being overhauled following public outcry over leaked expenses claims last year. | Sir Ian is chairman of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) which will run a new system of MPs' expenses - it is being overhauled following public outcry over leaked expenses claims last year. |
| No mortgage claims | No mortgage claims |
| There has already been an inquiry by Sir Christopher Kelly's Committee on Standards in Public Life into the system and a series of proposed reforms, which party leaders say they back. | There has already been an inquiry by Sir Christopher Kelly's Committee on Standards in Public Life into the system and a series of proposed reforms, which party leaders say they back. |
| But Sir Ian, who was selected to head the new body by a committee of long-serving MPs, has been given the power to decide which ideas go forward and form part of a new system of expenses - due to come in after the general election. | But Sir Ian, who was selected to head the new body by a committee of long-serving MPs, has been given the power to decide which ideas go forward and form part of a new system of expenses - due to come in after the general election. |
| ANALYSIS BBC deputy political editor James Landale | ANALYSIS BBC deputy political editor James Landale |
| The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority is flexing its statutory muscles. | |
| It accepts the broad principle of new rules on expenses recommended last year - such as MPs not being able to own publicly funded second homes. | It accepts the broad principle of new rules on expenses recommended last year - such as MPs not being able to own publicly funded second homes. |
| But chairman Sir Ian Kennedy is suggesting some changes at the start of a brief public consultation. | But chairman Sir Ian Kennedy is suggesting some changes at the start of a brief public consultation. |
| He leaves open the door to MPs employing family members. | He leaves open the door to MPs employing family members. |
| He says only MPs within London's Tube network should be banned from claiming rent for a second home. | He says only MPs within London's Tube network should be banned from claiming rent for a second home. |
| MPs should be able to claim for security measures, not just rent and utilities. | MPs should be able to claim for security measures, not just rent and utilities. |
| And he says it is for Parliament to decide whether any capital gain made on second homes before the new rules apply is paid back to the Treasury. | And he says it is for Parliament to decide whether any capital gain made on second homes before the new rules apply is paid back to the Treasury. |
| But he does recommend tightening some rules, include scrapping entirely a resettlement grant for MPs leaving Parliament. | But he does recommend tightening some rules, include scrapping entirely a resettlement grant for MPs leaving Parliament. |
| In a consultation document on changes published on Thursday, Sir Ian backs Sir Christopher's recommendation that, in future, MPs only claim for rent or hotel stays - not towards mortgage payments on second homes. | In a consultation document on changes published on Thursday, Sir Ian backs Sir Christopher's recommendation that, in future, MPs only claim for rent or hotel stays - not towards mortgage payments on second homes. |
| And it says it is giving "detailed consideration" to a suggestion that Parliament use a rental agency to find MPs properties. | And it says it is giving "detailed consideration" to a suggestion that Parliament use a rental agency to find MPs properties. |
| But it suggests MPs should be allowed to claim for "approved security measures" - something that was not backed by Sir Christopher's inquiry. | But it suggests MPs should be allowed to claim for "approved security measures" - something that was not backed by Sir Christopher's inquiry. |
| It agrees that MPs with existing mortgages who keep their seats at the general election should continue to get support for a "transitional period" and that any profit from house price rises during that time should be surrendered to the exchequer. | It agrees that MPs with existing mortgages who keep their seats at the general election should continue to get support for a "transitional period" and that any profit from house price rises during that time should be surrendered to the exchequer. |
| However the document says "it is for Parliament to decide whether to take steps to recover gains" - opening the possibility of MPs voting on whether profits from second home sales should be returned. | However the document says "it is for Parliament to decide whether to take steps to recover gains" - opening the possibility of MPs voting on whether profits from second home sales should be returned. |
| Sir Ian said that was because it might be necessary to change tax law to allow HM Revenue and Customs to recover the money but he was committed to the idea that profits should be returned. | Sir Ian said that was because it might be necessary to change tax law to allow HM Revenue and Customs to recover the money but he was committed to the idea that profits should be returned. |
| "I don't recognise the notion that we were watering down on capital gains," he said. | "I don't recognise the notion that we were watering down on capital gains," he said. |
| 'Starting point' | 'Starting point' |
| MPs who represent inner London seats have not been allowed to claim for a second home and that was extended to MPs with seats within 20 miles of Westminster last year. | MPs who represent inner London seats have not been allowed to claim for a second home and that was extended to MPs with seats within 20 miles of Westminster last year. |
| The expenses inquiry recommended that be extended slightly further to cover MPs within "reasonable commuting distance" of Westminster. | The expenses inquiry recommended that be extended slightly further to cover MPs within "reasonable commuting distance" of Westminster. |
| But Sir Ian suggests that only those with constituencies with stations in the London transport zones one to six should be stopped from claiming. | But Sir Ian suggests that only those with constituencies with stations in the London transport zones one to six should be stopped from claiming. |
| We feel it is right to allow an opportunity to hear considered views on whether prohibiting the employment of family members is necessary and proportionate Ipsa consultation The consultation paper in full | We feel it is right to allow an opportunity to hear considered views on whether prohibiting the employment of family members is necessary and proportionate Ipsa consultation The consultation paper in full |
| That means MPs from places outside the M25 with good transport links to Westminster - such as Guildford - might be able to claim second home allowances. | That means MPs from places outside the M25 with good transport links to Westminster - such as Guildford - might be able to claim second home allowances. |
| But Sir Ian told BBC Radio 4's World at One the inquiry had left it to Ipsa to "work out the details" and the suggestion was "only a starting point" as the body had not yet decided on the distance. | But Sir Ian told BBC Radio 4's World at One the inquiry had left it to Ipsa to "work out the details" and the suggestion was "only a starting point" as the body had not yet decided on the distance. |
| He said that about a third of the Kelly recommendations were not within Ipsa's scope anyway, adding: "To say that we are there to implement Sir Christopher's recommendations is somewhat lazy. | He said that about a third of the Kelly recommendations were not within Ipsa's scope anyway, adding: "To say that we are there to implement Sir Christopher's recommendations is somewhat lazy. |
| He added: "We have tried to translate the invitation from the committee on standards in public life to develop a notion of 'reasonable commuting distance' into something that can be understood, is practical and is workable." | He added: "We have tried to translate the invitation from the committee on standards in public life to develop a notion of 'reasonable commuting distance' into something that can be understood, is practical and is workable." |
| More than 200 MPs employ relatives but Sir Christopher's inquiry said the practice should be phased out. | More than 200 MPs employ relatives but Sir Christopher's inquiry said the practice should be phased out. |
| Sir Ian insisted he agreed, telling the BBC: "We agree with everybody else...that family members should not be employed." | Sir Ian insisted he agreed, telling the BBC: "We agree with everybody else...that family members should not be employed." |
| Golden goodbyes | Golden goodbyes |
| But his consultation document says Ipsa has already heard "very strong views" expressed that in practice family members might be the best qualified applicants for the posts. Sir Ian said to "be fair" Ipsa wanted to "air those arguments" so had invited views on various options. | But his consultation document says Ipsa has already heard "very strong views" expressed that in practice family members might be the best qualified applicants for the posts. Sir Ian said to "be fair" Ipsa wanted to "air those arguments" so had invited views on various options. |
| His consultation document suggests MPs with children - those with "caring responsibilities" could get the right to claim higher expenses so as not to "unduly deter" any group of people from standing for election. | His consultation document suggests MPs with children - those with "caring responsibilities" could get the right to claim higher expenses so as not to "unduly deter" any group of people from standing for election. |
| Sir Christopher's inquiry recommended a cut to the generous "golden goodbye" payoffs for MPs who step down or lose their seats at a general election. | Sir Christopher's inquiry recommended a cut to the generous "golden goodbye" payoffs for MPs who step down or lose their seats at a general election. |
| Currently they can get pay-offs of up to £65,000 - depending on how long they have been an MP - the first £30,000 of which is tax-free. | Currently they can get pay-offs of up to £65,000 - depending on how long they have been an MP - the first £30,000 of which is tax-free. |
| Sir Ian's paper suggests he might go further, adding: "We remain unconvinced of the need for payments to MPs on leaving parliament." | Sir Ian's paper suggests he might go further, adding: "We remain unconvinced of the need for payments to MPs on leaving parliament." |
| It points out that some professions "where there is a risk of unexpected job losses" people can take out their own insurance policy. | It points out that some professions "where there is a risk of unexpected job losses" people can take out their own insurance policy. |
| And it adds Ipsa does not believe "there is a clear-cut case that the taxpayer should bear the cost of supporting those arrangements". | And it adds Ipsa does not believe "there is a clear-cut case that the taxpayer should bear the cost of supporting those arrangements". |