What I've noticed from the figures is how similar all of the amounts are. (ie wages, office costs). This leads me to ask the question, are the wages a true reflection of the value of the staff or do they get the allowance and then figure out how to spend it?
I guess that some MP's will just give the money to their spouse or other close relative, whilst some will employ professional researchers and competent secretaries. I've had dealings with my MP, Andrew Dismore over the years. He prides himself on being hard working and conscienscious. I recently had to ask him to intervene on behalf of my ex business partners widow, who was being threatened with eviction by Barnet Council. He certainly gave her much worthwhile assistance and help. She speaks very highly of him. Being a Labour party member, I sometimes put his leaflets through local doors, so I guess I'd say in a horribly flawed system, he does a good job.
As for Rudi Vis and Theresa Villiers, having not had the pleasure, I couldn't really say how good or badly they do. I'd like to see MP's produce some sort of report as to their caseload. I'd also like to see how many people they help and how satisfied those people are. They give stationary costs, but I'd like to see how this is broken down. Could they send more emails?
Here are some changes I'd make if I was Gordon Brown or David Cameron.
1. All staff employed by MP's must be vetted by a Commons HR department to ensure that they are adequately qualified. Their salaries must reflect an appropriate civil service grade.
2. As with London Assembly members, all London MP's should be given a free Travelcard for London Travel. Any MP travelling (with good reason) between 10pm and 7am can claim milage or a taxi.
3. London MP's can claim overnight hotel expenses if it can be justified.
4. MP's can claim rail travel for long distance meetings in UK and connecting Taxi (in exceptional circumstances air travel).
5. Recalculate MP's salary to truly reflect their workload & responsibility. Set all future raises at the RPI with a 7 yearly review.
MP's with an average journey time of more than 1 hour each way, will be provided with a Government supplied flat free of charge. This will be owned and managed by the House of Commons and relinquished upon loss of seat. MP's will receive a moderate allowance for fixtures and furnishings.
Let's be realistic, non partisan and honest. We all want our MP's, whatever the party to be honest and decent people. The system we have encourages poor behaviour. This cannot be right. I am sure that when all MP's were initially selected they put their name's in the ring for the right reasons. They should get back to that. Gordon Brown is paying a heavy price for the current system, which he didn't invent. It is in his, David Cameron's and members in generals interest to reform the system, make it fair, transparent and honest. Through my work, I've met many MP's of all parties and I'd be dishonest if I said they struck me as terrible people (with one or two notable exceptions). I just think they need a system which doesn't have so much clear opportunity for abuse.
(please note these figures do not include the MP's salary).
FULL EXPENSES, 2007-2008
Andrew Dismore, MP for Hendon (Lab):
- Second home allowance - £3,815
- Office running costs - £21,377
- Staffing costs - £90,459
- Centrally purchased stationery - £752
- Stationery associated postage costs - £6.205
- Central IT provision - £1,265
- Staff cover & other costs - £0
- Commons allowance - £9,930
- Mileage (between home, constituency, Westminster) - £2,144
- Travel (Europe) - £1,419
TOTAL: £137,366
Theresa Villers, MP for Chipping Barnet (Con):
- Second home allowance - £18,181
- Office running costs - £21.096
- Staffing costs - £84,892
- Centrally purchased stationery - £1,904
- Stationery associated postage costs - £4,965
- Central IT provision - £1,385
- Commons allowance - £7,558
- Mileage (between home, constituency, Westminster) - £1,261
- Rail (between home, constituency, Westminster) - £33
- Misc - £118
- Mileage (other) - £82
- Rail (other) - £1,221
TOTAL: £142,696
Rudi Vis, MP for Finchley and Golders Green (Lab):
- Second home allowance - £23,083
- Office running costs - £21,328
- Staffing costs - £88,910
- Centrally purchased stationery - £1,904
- Stationery associated postage costs - £4,965
- Central IT provision - £1,385
- Commons allowance - £9,390
- Mileage (between home, constituency, Westminster) - £5,292
- Travel (Europe) - £613
TOTAL: £133,200
5 comments:
Scarily Rog I agree with alot of what you say, especially this:
"Now why London MP's need a second home is clearly a big bone of contention!"
Dave,
If you are agreeing with me that means the rehab is working!
Well done, in time you'll agree with everything I've said.
Rog
Despite Gordon Brown’s best efforts, we still live in a capitalist society and the normal rules of supply and demand should apply. There are many more applicants for seats in Westminster than there are jobs available, so the wages on offer should go down to reflect that. In the real world, when unemployment rises, Labour costs fall. MPs seem to think they can be insulated from reality.
The main problem is that many MPs genuinely feel that their basic salary of £65,000 isn’t enough. They know that the public react badly whenever they are awarded big rises, so this system of tax-free allowances has evolved over the years which allows MPs to effectively top up their salary whether the expense claimed was justified or not.
Harry Cohen, the MP you mentioned recently, is reported to have said that the second home allowance is ”part of my salary in all but name”. Well he should be taxed on it then, like the rest of us.
MPs think they are a special class, but they are not. You don’t need special training, like a doctor. Anyone can apply to join this cosy little club. It is unfortunate that those MPs who do not abuse the system and work hard for their constituents are now tarred with the same brush as the Jacqui Smiths of this world, but it’s their own fault for not speaking out sooner.
It’s time to clear out the rubbish and restore public confidence in the Parliamentary process. But that can only happen when MPs stop trying to cover up their grubby behaviour.
Rog,
You suggest that MPs staff should be vetted by the House of Commons. I would go further - make the staff civil servants who work for whomever is the MP. The Commons hires the staff and pays their wages direct, thereby removing the necessity of MPs to claim an allowance, which can be abused.
These staff members, paid for by us, are not supposed to be doing party political work so if an MP retires or loses his/her seat, they can continue working for the next MP, which would have the added benefit of providing continuation of service for constituents.
David,
I don't agree that staff should be civil servants, this would be an unnecessary constraint. They should just be qualified to do the job. MP's may want to recruit quite radical people. If I won a seat, I'd want Mark Thomas as my assistant. I'm sure Mike Freer or Theresa Villiers would want someone else. It wouldn't help the process to get yes minister types in.
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