Kelly demands tougher expenses reforms
By politics.co.uk staff
The author of the review into parliamentary expenses has demanded Sir Ian Kennedy keep his tough suggestions for the new system.
Sir Christopher Kelly has written to the new parliamentary regulators insisting MPs hand back profits on the sale of publicly-funded second homes.
Sir Ian Kennedy, the chair of the new Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa), has argued against Sir Christopher’s suggestion that MPs within 60 minutes commute from Westminster not be allowed overnight expenses.
He says the plans would leave parliamentarians at the mercy of train timetables and intends to implement a scheme based around the zone six area around London.
But Sir Christopher’s committee said the new scheme could allow some MPs in Greater London to claim a second home allowance.
“The proposal appears on the face of it to be more generous than that which parliament has already determined for itself, and is less rigorous than the committee had envisaged,” the letter read.
“There are a number of members of the public who regularly commute to central London from beyond the London Transport Zone 6, with journey times no greater than some of those who live within it.”
There was also criticism of Sir Ian’s plans to allow MPs a vote on whether they will be forced to repay profits on taxpayer-funded second homes.
The prime minister spokesman refused to be drawn on the issue today, saying: “How it works itself out in detail is not for the prime minister to get involved in.”
