MULHOLLAND ASKS PRIME MINISTER; ARE PLANS ON MP'S EXPENSES ANNOUNCED TO AVOID SACKING MINISTERS?

8.43.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 22nd Apr 2009

Greg Mulholland the Liberal Democrat MP for Leeds North West, a leading campaigner for reform of MPs' expenses, today challenged the Prime Minister to explain the reasoning behind the Government's new proposals on MPs' expenses.

The Government intends to replace the second home allowance with a daily allowance payable to all MPs regardless of need or expenditure meaning that all MPs will simply have to clock-on to receive a daily payment. Greg said that this would decrease accountability and would be seen by the public as allowing MPs to keep their "snouts in the trough" and would be in effect "money for nothing".

Greg asked the Prime Minister if the truth was that these reforms had only been introduced as a way for the Prime Minister to avoid sacking Ministers who have been abusing the current system.

Greg commented;

"It seems clear that Gordon Brown has pushed these ill conceived proposals through to take the heat off ministers who he should have the courage to sack for clear abuses of the expenses system.

The idea of replacing the second home allowance with a daily allowance is saying that MPs should cash in every time they come to Westminster, instead of simply having the costs of necessary accommodation in London covered, which is all any such allowance should be used for.

For some MPs, this will literally be money for nothing and a boost to their take home pay which is scandalous, particularly during a recession.

It is extraordinary that the Government really thinks that this proposal for unaccountable, unjustified payment will help restore public confidence.

What is needed is a strict and tightly controlled budget that MPs from outside London who need accommodation in London can spend on this and this only. Anything else will lead to mistrust and give the impression that MPs are on the make."