This debate is now closed.
Are the expenses reforms enough?
MPs will be banned from claiming the cost of mortgage interest payments on second homes under proposals being put forward, sources have told the BBC. Will this draw a line under the expenses scandal?
It is understood the Kelly committee, which has been reviewing MPs' expenses, will recommend that MPs will only be able to rent a second home in future.
Other proposals include a ban on MPs employing family members in the future. It is understood the changes will be phased in over five years.
The BBC has also learnt that another review has recommended that members of the House of Lords are to have their overnight accommodation reduced and will have to provide receipts in order to claim.
What is your reaction to these proposals? Are they radical enough? What changes would you make to the current expenses system?
Read about the peers' expenses changes
Read about the MPs' expenses reforms
Published:
Wednesday, 28 October, 2009, 09:14 GMT
09:14 UK
All comments as they come in
Added:
Thursday, 29 October, 2009, 16:26 GMT
16:26 UK
The whole expenses fiasco was caused by the "trust" arrangement built into a sloppy claim system.The MP's proved they cannot be trusted to deal fairly with the public purse so why should we believe it will be different in future.I remind you that 666(Tony Blair) was the architect of this arrangement,I rest my case.
[harkerboy], Washington, United Kingdom
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Added:
Thursday, 29 October, 2009, 16:25 GMT
16:25 UK
MPs constantly remind me of criminals complaining that they have been caught and then whining that their sentences are too long. To all MPs I say: DUTY first - self second!
[hardhatharry]
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Added:
Thursday, 29 October, 2009, 16:25 GMT
16:25 UK
All the MPs who fiddled their mortgages and capital gains tax should face jail. (Whilst if they did I would have to depend on a judge for sentencing length, 10 years would be about right....without parole).
Time these parasites were dealt some justice in the same way they dish it out to the citizens who fund their lifestyles!!
john h, lancashire
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Added:
Thursday, 29 October, 2009, 16:24 GMT
16:24 UK
Unless WE the electorate vote out all those MPs who have been dipping their sticky fingers into our money for all these years at the next general election, then we deserve the Government we get and no right to keep whinging on. Actions speak louder than words.!!!!
Larry, London
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Added:
Thursday, 29 October, 2009, 16:23 GMT
16:23 UK
The fact that many MP's are angry at the cuts in their expenses signifies that most of them were only in the job to line their pockets in the first place. Let's see how many of them quit so that they can be replaced with MP's of a greater moral standing and dedication to the people.
Logicman, Stevenage
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Added:
Thursday, 29 October, 2009, 16:21 GMT
16:21 UK
NO.
james Taylor
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Added:
Thursday, 29 October, 2009, 16:20 GMT
16:20 UK
Still waiting for the prosecution of some of these self indulgent hypocrites.
[AnotherAngryMan], Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom
You'd be better off waiting for the postman!
[Richkw], Canterbury, United Kingdom
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Added:
Thursday, 29 October, 2009, 16:16 GMT
16:16 UK
"They investigations should include Blair. If they do the crime they should do the time. Like us."
Personally I would like to see Thatcher included as she introduced the policy.
Bo Jo
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Added:
Thursday, 29 October, 2009, 16:11 GMT
16:11 UK
No politicians don't live in the real world, well its about time they were brought back down to earth and if it is painful oh well, it wont be as painful as it is for some of the people that they are meant to represent.
[NoSympathyAtAll], Cheshire, United Kingdom
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Added:
Thursday, 29 October, 2009, 16:10 GMT
16:10 UK
The reforms that have not been officially announced yet but what we hear on reports do not go far enough, in other areas such as employing spouse's it is ridiculous, yes it is open to abuse but that is up to the party leader to deal with and they should all be monitored anyway, what I want to know is will the expenses that they can submit WITHOUT receipts be stopped.
[NoSympathyAtAll], Cheshire, United Kingdom
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Added:
Thursday, 29 October, 2009, 16:09 GMT
16:09 UK
Surely there should also be a complete investigation and overhaul of the Fees Offices which would seem to have been acting other than in the interests of the taxpayers.Their record in the past few years does not give any confidence that they would administer a new system with the scrupulousness we need to help restore trust in the institution of Parliament.
Julie Cuninghame, Woodbridge
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Added:
Thursday, 29 October, 2009, 16:04 GMT
16:04 UK
Are we not now at the point where it makes sense to move the centre of government out of London? There are plenty of half empty industrial estates around the country that could accomodate these people cheaply.
BAZ S, SCOTLAND, United Kingdom
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Added:
Thursday, 29 October, 2009, 16:00 GMT
16:00 UK
No I am still waiting for the prosecution of the MPs who have committed fraud.If I had obtained money for a non exsistant mortgage , the Police would have been knocking on my door the next day.
I feel sickened that while our troops are losing their lives and many being seriously injured in Afghanistan,yes and with sub-standard equipment, sent there by the very MPs who were grubbing around in the trough.
[macswesties], Rhoose, Barry, United Kingdom
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Added:
Thursday, 29 October, 2009, 15:57 GMT
15:57 UK
People think that an MP is there to represent the public who vote for him/her. An MP is there for his/her self-interest. You can’t give people power and expect them not to abuse it. The fat cats (politicians, company executives) and the thin cats (benefit cheats) are the same. People try and milk everything they can get. The current system promotes greed, selfishness and dog-eat-dog.
Jeremy Platt, United Kingdom
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Added:
Thursday, 29 October, 2009, 15:43 GMT
15:43 UK
How about a teeny weeny bit of bottom smacking when our illustrious politicians are caught on the fiddle. Today, all they have to do is say sorry, pay back the money and all is forgiven. On second thoughts, having their bottoms smacked was probably once an expense to be claimed for.
john brockhurst, mildenhall, United Kingdom
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DEBATE STATUS
Total comments: 1308
Published comments: 1145
Rejected comments: 132
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