MPs Expenses
Posted by David Burrowes, MP for Enfield, Southgate, at 15:48, Wed 1 April 2009:
This week I repeated my call for an end to London MPs having a second home on taxpayers expense.
There is no good reason for London MPs to have a second home paid for by the taxpayer. It is a shame that Parliament did not take the opportunity last year, which I supported, to scrap the second home allowance for outer London MPs. Many of my constituents are commuters who work long hours and find it hard to accept that MPs should have a taxpayers perk of a London flat. I use the tube and bus to get from my home in Southgate to and from Parliament within an hour. If it is too late for public transport then I get a taxi home. I have not taken up the option of a second home allowance because it can't be justified as a reasonable taxpayers expense and I prefer to go home to my family. Parliament must get its house in order and take immediate steps to abolish Outer London MPs' second home allowance.
We also need full transparency of all our accounts. If anyone wishes to inspect my receipted accounts they are welcome to do so. Because of some MPs abusing the system we are all being accused of being caught with our hands in the taxpayers till. The response to the corrosion of mistrust about MPs expenses is full transparency. I have previously disclosed details of my accounts on my website and annual report, and invited inspection of my accounts and will continue to do so.
You can access the figures published today on the Houses of Parliament website by following these links:
MP's Allowance Expenditure 2007-08 - http://www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/HoCallowances0708.pdf
MP's Travel Expenditure 2008-08 - http://www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/HoCallowancestravel0708.pdf
Best wishes
David Burrowes MP
Comments
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Posted by Gareth Cooper, 16:02, Wed 1 April 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
Thank you, Mr Burrowes, for showing some common sense which seems to be sorely lacking in today's political system.
Posted by Alan Sitkin, 16:08, Wed 1 April 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
Is it not hypocritical for David Burrowes to pretend to take the high road on expenses when he has on occasion been very happy to avail himself of the possibility of continuing his day job as a highly paid solicitor even as he is supposed to be working for his constituents on a full time basis? Other MPs have refused this confusion of roles but not him. I also seem to remember a debate where Mr. Burrowes was arguing that under certain circumstances solicitors should get higher fees. What a coincidence.
Posted by David Flint, 07:17, Thu 2 April 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
David Burrowes is surely right about second homes. London MPs and other MPs who can commute should do so. And MPs should not be able to use allowances to increase their incomes - only to cover necessary expenses.