MPs use children to claim more expenses

Almost 150s MPs have been given permission to claim expenses on behalf of their children, the parliamentary regulator has disclosed as it prepares to offer politicians a £10,000 pay rise.



The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) has given the MPs special dispensation to claim higher expenses to rent bigger properties and to pay for their children’s travel.

The rules were relaxed in 2011 following lobbying from MPs who can now claim thousands of pounds extra for each child they register with the expenses regulator.

At least nine Government ministers have registered to benefit, Ipsa has disclosed. Some MPs have made more than £10,000 on the scheme. Such a perk would not be available in the private sector and will add to the debate over the pay and perks packages of MPs.

Laura Perrins, a barrister turned stay-at-home mother who confronted Nick Clegg live on the radio over the Coalition’s benefit change, said it was unfair that MPs were getting a pay rise.

“At a time when the finances for ordinary families are so tight, they need to think long and hard about whether what they are doing is fair,” she said. “Every other family is having to meet expenses out of their ordinary salary and MPs need to act responsibly when it comes to claiming these types of expenses.” Sir Ian Kennedy, the chief executive of Ipsa, will give a speech tomorrow in which he is expected to suggest that MPs are underpaid. Although he will not set out specific proposals, it is understood that the regulator will recommend MPs are awarded a £10,000 pay rise after the next election.

Hypocrisy seems to be one of the requirements to being selected as an MP.

However, it's our own fault that we get such rubbish MPs as so few people actually bother to get off their backsides and vote.

As long as the masses in this country have their soaps, reality TV, football, fags and booze, they are blissfully happy and totally unaware of the realities in this horrible world. Until one day it all comes crashing down and they sit there like muppets asking, "What happened?"

Of course it's all "within the rules" as we've heard before.



Interestingly though, when companies avoid paying tax by staying "within the rules" the hypocrites in Westminster seem to get a bit hot under the collar.