No more 2nd mortgages for MPs

[Dodger666]

What fantastic news in today's press, if it come true. It's proposed that MPs must rent their second homes and not claim mortgage interest on second homes. In addition they will be unable to employ members of their familes. MPs who live within one hours train travel from Westminster can't claim for second homes or travel expenses either.

The only downside is it will take 5 years to bring these reforms in. I would suggest they are introduced from the next General Election onwards. Any MP who doen't like it can stand down and let some one who wants to do the job take their place.

[B00]

All I can say is "Hah! Can't come soon enough"

[ummmm]

They should be sacked. They are thieves.

[gina32]

wonder how many of them will "rent" from relatives and claim that back instead?

[ummmm]

I don't agree. I ran a business for many years and watched employees trying to put in receipts they were not entitled to claim. They were trying their luck and in my opinion trying to steal my money.

[Sandy-Wroe]

Think what this will do to the family of Iris and Peter Robinson, both DUP MP's in Northern Ireland. Together they employ six family members as researchers, secretaries, and the like.
I was thinking of organising an on-line collection for them.

[R1Geezer]

Good up to a point but surely the Burton on trent won't be far off the mortgage cost. Why don't they just buy a block of good quality flats and then let MP's have one of those if they want a second home, sorted!

[ummmm]

It's not that they were entitled to it. It was a loop hole that they abused.

The rules for them were different from the rules for us. We cannot claim back the cost of getting to and from work...but they could. Why?

[ummmm]

Can't remember who I read about but they claimed something stupid in taxis to get to the houses of parliment. That's getting to work.

[jno]

They could move into the Olympic Village after 2012. Jubilee line straight to work. Two birds killed with one stone.
As for them claiming rent instead of mortgage payments - does anyone know if that will actually make a difference? It'd mean they wouldn't actually end up owning the place, but what difference would that make to the taxpayer?

[spitza]

I looked at the TV yesterday I saw about 25 members of parliament where were the rest ? they have just returned from their summer break!!