bbc.co.uk Navigation


Have Your Say

Send us your feedback

New visitors:  Create your membership
Returning members:  Sign in
This debate is now closed.

Is the review of MPs' expenses fair?

MPs should be banned from claiming mortgage payments and employing relatives at the taxpayer's expense, a review says. Do you agree?

The review was ordered after revelations about MPs' expenses hit the headlines in May, causing a public outcry.

Other recommendations include a ban on claims for gardening, cleaning and furniture.

Also MPs within a "reasonable commute" of London won't be able to claim a second homes allowance.

What do you think of the recommendations? Do they go far enough? Or are they too harsh? What more should be done to restore public confidence in MPs?

Published: Wednesday, 4 November, 2009, 11:37 GMT 11:37 UK

All comments as they come in

Added: Saturday, 7 November, 2009, 20:35 GMT 20:35 UK

if i tried to claim expensess like they do i would be sacked and face charges.when will mps start doing things for this country.instead of robbing us blind.............

daz, coventry

Recommended by 0 people

Alert a Moderator

Added: Thursday, 5 November, 2009, 17:53 GMT 17:53 UK

I have no respect for the MP's anymore; they are disgusting, using our TAX money to pay for their cleaners, gardners & 2nd homes; I feel that they should all pay back more than they took, even though they said it was not a crime then, well it was still the same back then, they had been still using our money to buy nice things, with no benefits for us;

Aisha

Recommended by 0 people

Alert a Moderator

Added: Thursday, 5 November, 2009, 11:58 GMT 11:58 UK

I have very little sympathy with any MP for this. You choose to be an MP because you want to build a a better country not for money, their salaries are fair and they still earn a vast sum more than the rest of us. Its the majority that have spoilt it for the minority not the other way round. Whining about everything being done within 'rules' angers me, It all comes down to morality and it turns out the people we have elected to serve us have very little or none.

Carrie, Brighton

Recommended by 0 people

Alert a Moderator

Added: Thursday, 5 November, 2009, 10:22 GMT 10:22 UK

bless them
our system was abused for some things but on the whole it is less than corrupt than most
someone from russia commented the other day on how corrupt our politicians are...... russia .
they do an important job that no one is going to want to do without some benefits

Becca, Milton Keynes

Recommended by 0 people

Alert a Moderator

Added: Wednesday, 4 November, 2009, 18:00 GMT 18:00 UK

No i don't think this review of Mps expenses is fair, all the mps should be sacked if they claim anything.

Osman Nazar, Rochdale

Recommended by 0 people

Alert a Moderator

Added: Wednesday, 4 November, 2009, 15:43 GMT 15:43 UK

Why can't they build a big halls of residence/bed & breakfast in London just for the MPs? Then that way they wouldn't need to spend money on second homes, they could just stay in basic rooms (like most people who have been to uni have done).
Aimee, Birmingham

I totally agree with Aimee, why dont they stay in Accomodation that is provided, that way 'living expenses' could be accurately budgeted for each year.
If they say they are not in the job for the perks why not??

Pat, Cheltenham

Recommended by 0 people

Alert a Moderator

Added: Wednesday, 4 November, 2009, 14:52 GMT 14:52 UK

My father is an MP and he as most of them only claim what is necessary to do the job to enable themselves not to be out of pocket because they need to live in London for some of the week and live in their constituency the rest. They are suposedly Honorable gentlemen and honorable gentlemen only need claim what is considered a reasonable amount..so as usual a few have spoilt it for the majority as everywhere!!
They work very hard 24/7 people should spend a week with one ..you would be exhausted

Esther, Saltash

Recommended by 0 people

Alert a Moderator

Added: Wednesday, 4 November, 2009, 13:01 GMT 13:01 UK

How will we know if MPs stay in a hotel, or rent a property, owned by a family member or friend ? Hotels & renting will only profit private individuals at the expense of the taxpayer. The state should purchase, maintain & furnish houses, and allow MPs to stay in them rent free. That way, the taxpayer keeps the value of the property. I suspect this "review" will only make the gravy train less obvious.

Dave Derrick, Somerset, United Kingdom

Recommended by 1 person

Alert a Moderator

Added: Wednesday, 4 November, 2009, 13:00 GMT 13:00 UK

I think its a start that the politicians are being asked to do this, but in order for people to have confidence, this needs to be regularly monitered, making sure there are no loopholes and more importantly we need to know what that tax payers money is now going to be used for!

J, Lichfield

Recommended by 0 people

Alert a Moderator

Added: Wednesday, 4 November, 2009, 12:57 GMT 12:57 UK

Yes I do agree. I can't believe they could claim for such things in the first place. I also can't believe they are complaining about not being able to claim expenses for their mortgages etc.

They get enough money without claiming for stupid things like cleaners, we have to pay for someone to keep their house clean.

They don't know how lucky they got it. They should have to pay for things out of their own pocket like the rest of us.

Shame on you guys !

Amy L, Bridgend

Recommended by 0 people

Alert a Moderator

Added: Wednesday, 4 November, 2009, 12:56 GMT 12:56 UK

The whole point for the expenses is that it enables all people, regardless of income, to sit in the house of parliament to represent the country without fear of being unable to afford to live in london

Adam, Huddersfield

Recommended by 0 people

Alert a Moderator

Added: Wednesday, 4 November, 2009, 12:53 GMT 12:53 UK

I really can't see the issue with MPs employing their family members. The issue lies with them then paying them extortionate unrealistic salaries and claiming for unreasonable items on expenses. The MPs having to pay back some expenses claimed is slightly unfair given that there were no guidelines as to what they should be allowed to claim. However, their abuse of the system is apparent and they should have exercised their common sense in what is reasonable - a Duck house? Really.

DaisyThompson, Maidstone

Recommended by 0 people

Alert a Moderator

Added: Wednesday, 4 November, 2009, 12:53 GMT 12:53 UK

Why can't they build a big halls of residence/bed & breakfast in London just for the MPs? Then that way they wouldn't need to spend money on second homes, they could just stay in basic rooms (like most people who have been to uni have done).

MPs should become MPs because they believe in the cause and making the country better, not because they can have a nice second home in London paid for!

So surely they wouldn't complain about a halls of residences for MPs?

Aimee, Birmingham

Recommended by 1 person

Alert a Moderator

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites.