Commons leader hits out at expenses regime
Sir George Young has attacked the “failing” expenses regime as parliament’s allowances watchdog names and shames MPs whose claims were refused.
The leader of the Commons laid into the new system in his submission to Ipsa’s ongoing consultation on the current rules. His remarks are widely seen as reflecting the opinion of most backbenchers.
“I believe that the current expenses scheme, as designed, implemented and administered by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, is failing in many respects adequately to support MPs to undertake their responsibilities,” Sir George wrote.
“There are some highly unsatisfactory features of the scheme that are at best distracting, and at worst impeding, MPs from doing their jobs.”
He claimed some aspects of the new regime were putting less affluent people off becoming MPs.
“This is unsustainable and it would be unacceptable to the House, if parliament is to perform the task the country expects,” he added.
The issue was raised at business questions in the Commons this morning, when Sir George reinforced his written remarks with comments on the floor of the House.
“Ipsa must recognise the allowances are meant to support us in the job we were sent here to do,” he said.
“The present administration and structure of allowances in many ways gets in the way of us doing that job.”
The latest manifestation of backbenchers’ anger at the current system came as a group of MPs criticised Ipsa’s decision to reduce its telephone helpline hours to just the afternoon.
“Even by public sector standards this is appalling,” Conservative MP David Morris told politics.co.uk.
Expenses phoneline frustrates MPs
Figures released today by Ipsa showed the watchdog refused to pay 69 expenses claims over a two-month period last autumn.
In total 248 claims worth over £15,000 were either not paid or only partly paid because they did not comply with the new rules.
Data released by Ipsa revealed for the first time the names of MPs who had submitted claims which were turned down.
Among the refused claims was a £339.05 telephone bill by Enfield Southgate MP David Burrowes, a £14.00 taxi fare by South Norfolk’s Richard Bacon and a £2.00 ‘computer HW purchase’ from Tynemouth MP Alan Campbell.
The latest figures cover September and October, a period during which parliament was in recess for three weeks because of the party conference season.
In the four preceding months there were 1,600 rejected claims, meaning MPs have substantially improved their familiarity with the system – or their caution.
