MP Expenses Redux.

[LazyGun]

It seems that MP expenses have risen sharply this year, and they are pretty much at the same rate as when the MP expenses scandal originally blew up - £90 million between the 650 or so MPs.

IPSA, the body set up to regulate MP claims,say that these claims are all genuine, verified, and needed. Given the seemingly egregious and widespread abuse of the system back then which must have inflated the total expenses bill, I do find it concerning that, under the new system, these genuine claims are now at the same levels.

Do you think we are getting value for money? Or should we be reviewing exactly what these MPs get reimbursed for, and how much that reimbursement is?

http://www.telegraph....uarter-in-a-year.html

[NoMercy]

£90m between 650 MPs...I would hardly call that value for money. I would like to know exactly what these avaricious MPs are claiming for.

[HowardKennitby]

Bunch of snollygosters.

[LazyGun]

@ Howard - Snollygoster?

Thought for a moment you were just making stuff up, but a quick google gave the reference - One of the reasons I like AB is because you learn something new every day - thanks for the new word! :)

[factor-fiction]

That's a lot £138000 each on average. It depends what it includes though- -does it include the cost of the office (secretaries/assistants, IT) as well as all the usual things like travel, accommodation?
Has anyone got a breakdown?

[abstibus]

Just love the snollygosters bit, Howie

[LazyGun]

@ Factor - I am pretty sure the expenses bill includes the MPs office costs, which would include PAs, office equipment and rental etc.

Reading the telegraph article, they did detail at least one instance of staffing costs as being part of the total....

[vulcan]

We need a breakdown but it sounds excessive, it's roughly 3 times their salary. Sir Ian Kennedy says we shouldn't withhold funds but use our vote. So we vote in somebody else and they stop excessive claiming? why do they think we are so gullible?