Thousands voice MPs expense views

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More than 2,500 individuals and organisations have responded to a public consultation on proposed reforms to the system of MPs' expenses.

The new body tasked with overhauling what MPs can claim has held a series of public meetings across the UK.

It plans to publish details of its revised scheme next month so it can be put in place in time for the election.

A host of MPs have stood down since revelations about individual claims first emerged last May.

'Careful examination'

The consultation process was required as part of legislation passed last year handing over responsibility for expenses to a new external regulator, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA).

IPSA said on Monday it had received 2,703 responses from the public during its two-month exercise, all of which will be published.

It outlined a range of options for changes in key areas, such as accommodation and staffing costs, and sought public feedback on them.

"We invited a wide range of groups and individuals to join this process and we are particularly pleased with the response," IPSA chairman Sir Ian Kennedy said.

We are now solely focused on producing a workable and effective new scheme of expenses that helps restore public confidence Sir Ian Kennedy

"All views will be examined carefully and will help us shape the final scheme which we will publish next month.

"We are now solely focused on producing a workable and effective new scheme of expenses that helps restore public confidence and enables MPs in the next Parliament do the work we elect them to do."

Sir Ian has said he regards the recommendations of the Committee on Standards in Public Life - which proposed a root-and-branch shake-up of the expenses system last November - as the basis for a new system.

However, he has stressed he does not feel bound to implement them as a complete package - a stance which has concerned some MPs.