FabSwingers.com > Forums > The Lounge > MP's perks or taking a bleed'in liberty?
MP's perks or taking a bleed'in liberty?
Jump to: Newest in thread
 |
By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
|
Apparently MPs have come under attack for claiming £200,000 of taxpayers' money to cover the cost of their energy bills.
It's being reported that some 340 MPs, including Government ministers, have used the parliamentary expenses system to recoup the cost of heating their second homes.
According to the reports although the claims do not break any parliamentary rules, bills costing more than £1,000 were submitted by 41 MPs while 78 made claims for £500 in the 12 months up to March this year.
Seemingly Conservative MP Nadhim Zahawi claimed the most with a bill totalling £5,822.27 to cover electricity and heating oil for his estate in Warwickshire.
International Development Minister Alan Duncan claimed £2,750 for electricity bills and £1,250 in heating oil for his home in Rutland, Leicestershire while Universities Minister David Willetts, claimed £2,596.
 |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"Apparently MPs have come under attack for claiming £200,000 of taxpayers' money to cover the cost of their energy bills.
It's being reported that some 340 MPs, including Government ministers, have used the parliamentary expenses system to recoup the cost of heating their second homes.
According to the reports although the claims do not break any parliamentary rules, bills costing more than £1,000 were submitted by 41 MPs while 78 made claims for £500 in the 12 months up to March this year.
Seemingly Conservative MP Nadhim Zahawi claimed the most with a bill totalling £5,822.27 to cover electricity and heating oil for his estate in Warwickshire.
International Development Minister Alan Duncan claimed £2,750 for electricity bills and £1,250 in heating oil for his home in Rutland, Leicestershire while Universities Minister David Willetts, claimed £2,596.
"
Takes the piss but they make up their own rules, so they can't be broken. Jeez, the only ones that got prosecuted over the expenses scandal were the ones that got done for fraud and stupidly claimed for things that didn't exist! |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
I could possibly understand a claim for a small flat in London which they use when at the commons; but to claim for their home in their constituency (especially when the phrase estate is used) is an utter disgrace. It shows the level of contempt most MP have for us all.
Give them a budget to run their office, a rail card to commute to and from London and put them up a designated building so they can stop in London
Snouts in the trough again |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
|
"Can I ask where you saw this please? "
It's plucked from todays MSN homepage leader stories but the original report I believe is published on the Daily Mirror website  |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"Give them a budget to run their office, a rail card to commute to and from London and put them up a designated building so they can stop in London
Snouts in the trough again"
Now this idea I like. Seems fair to me.  |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By *nnyMan
over a year ago
Glasgow |
Well, there's an election due in May 2015.
Anyone who genuinely objects to the behaviour of these MPs and others can vote against them.
In the meantime, write or email telling th how you feel. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
|
"Well, there's an election due in May 2015.
Anyone who genuinely objects to the behaviour of these MPs and others can vote against them.
In the meantime, write or email telling th how you feel."
The article I read only identifies the largest claims but apparently there are MP's from all the major parties involved,,,,,
So it wouldn’t be so easy to demonstrate public dissatisfaction at this behaviour during a general election without effecting the chances of electing your party of choice... |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By *nnyMan
over a year ago
Glasgow |
Claiming a sensible amount for your accommodation in London strikes me as OK. We can't allow a system where only rich people, who can pay their own expenses for doing their job, can afford to be MPs.
There'll be a list online of all MPs and what they've claimed.
|
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By *nnyMan
over a year ago
Glasgow |
"Yes, don't just blame the Tories for this one, as is so often the case on here. It's been reported that Ed Miliband claimed £403.59, and Nick Clegg claimed £254.29.
"
I've not seen those figures but if that's their annual fuel bill, it's pretty impressive insulation - or they don't spend much time at home. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago
Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound |
If the PM signs off the 11% payrise they still get to keep the expenses as the deal for 22% and losing the expenses was rejected.
I took from that the expenses are worth more than a hefty payrise.
Now, I don't have a problem with proper remuneration as their role is thankless, however when the public sector employees are capped to 1% how are they different? Plus the standard argument is that people accept the salary that goes with the job they choose. They have chosen their careers and knew what the salary would be.
|
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
I have always believed that the majority of MPs get into the role simply for themselves, to feather their own nests and not in the interests of the public they are supposed to serve. This is just another example where we hear that "do as I say not as I do" approach to life that MPs have. It is a thankless task being an MP, but they go into it with their yes wide open, they know what to expect..... What do we get a the voting public? MPs who stick their heads in the sand. You couldn't write it if it wasn't real. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"Can't understand why MP's don't undergo some form of means test like people on benefits do."
agreed, and Atos and Capita can apply the same standards to those..
but not holding my breath on that.. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"Britain seethes a little more . 
..... yet does nothing about it."
One thing I'm passionate about is speaking up. If you have something to say on matters like this, contact your MP. Especially if they're on the list lol !
I've always had a response and usually a good one, no matter who I've written to. They work for you  |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
I have emailed my local mp to see if he claimed for heating i never voted for him never would but some muppets did so he represents us all and should be accountable to all.
The information can be found but will give him chance to be open about it first. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
a simple answer would be to throw each MP a couple of unemployed who could chop wood and dig coal to earn their benefit, It would also give the Flat Cap makers a kick start too |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I have emailed my local mp to see if he claimed for heating i never voted for him never would but some muppets did so he represents us all and should be accountable to all.
The information can be found but will give him chance to be open about it first."
Yes it matters not whether you voted them in. The point is they are payed to do a job and accountable we must make them. From the responses I have had / times of day, I'm guessing at least some of them are not inundated with messages. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I have emailed my local mp to see if he claimed for heating i never voted for him never would but some muppets did so he represents us all and should be accountable to all.
The information can be found but will give him chance to be open about it first."
i emailed my mp at the time of the original expenses scandal his reply was arrogant and conceited in his response.
i hope you get a better response however they believe they are entitled to every penny and more.
less mp's (600 +)
less money (£68,000)
less expenses
no directorships
no final salary pension (after two terms)
lets she how many undertake the work if the all round remuneration package is reduced to other public servants
|
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"Vote for lib/lab/cons...this is all you will get....time for change.
who else..?
greens are about the only other alternative.."
UKIP..For me and many i know. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"All MP's should take the government's advice and wear jumpers in the winter. That should solve the problem.  "
agreed i just you don't cover up too much lol |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
Tbh I think these are petty distractions from the bigger issues.
We're talking of 200,000 pounds in a budget that runs into tens of billions. Mere drops in the ocean.
If you want to pay peanuts for MPs, how do you expect to attract anything more than a monkey?
The bigger issues are education, social justice and economic recovery. This is tosh to keep us busy. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"Tbh I think these are petty distractions from the bigger issues.
We're talking of 200,000 pounds in a budget that runs into tens of billions. Mere drops in the ocean.
If you want to pay peanuts for MPs, how do you expect to attract anything more than a monkey?
The bigger issues are education, social justice and economic recovery. This is tosh to keep us busy."
Hmmm well I agree and I recognise this issue in my own life. Currently very busy work and private life on big projects. Then little things crop up like a farewell bill from eOn for £500+ quid and I don't have the time to dedicate to tell them what they really need to hear.
So yes bigger issues are important but should we lose sight of these smaller things in the process  |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago
Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound |
There are much bigger things, it's true. The only reason this is outrageous is because it is not commensurate with what they are asking other public servants to accept. Nor is it commensurate with tackling the issue of rising energy bills, where there is no real competition.
Advising people to switch suppliers and wear a jumper when claiming for their energy supply and not having to face the reality of a 10% rise in the costs is just crass.
|
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"I have always believed that the majority of MPs get into the role simply for themselves, to feather their own nests and not in the interests of the public they are supposed to serve. This is just another example where we hear that "do as I say not as I do" approach to life that MPs have. It is a thankless task being an MP, but they go into it with their yes wide open, they know what to expect..... What do we get a the voting public? MPs who stick their heads in the sand. You couldn't write it if it wasn't real."
That will always be the problem with career politicians.
Most of us (if not all) embark on a career to feather our own nests and career politicians are no different. What we really need are politicians who have made their money in a previous career the go into politics as a public service, but I don't see it ever happening. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By *nnyMan
over a year ago
Glasgow |
"I have always believed that the majority of MPs get into the role simply for themselves, to feather their own nests and not in the interests of the public they are supposed to serve. This is just another example where we hear that "do as I say not as I do" approach to life that MPs have. It is a thankless task being an MP, but they go into it with their yes wide open, they know what to expect..... What do we get a the voting public? MPs who stick their heads in the sand. You couldn't write it if it wasn't real.
That will always be the problem with career politicians.
Most of us (if not all) embark on a career to feather our own nests and career politicians are no different. What we really need are politicians who have made their money in a previous career the go into politics as a public service, but I don't see it ever happening."
Yeah. The Commons full of retired multi-millionaires.
That's that the UK needs.
|
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
» Add a new message to this topic
