MPs to get up to £5,000 summer recess payment
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.MPS would be given a one-off payment of up to £5,000 to maintain their second homes this summer as part of Gordon Brown's controversial overhaul of their expenses system.
The Prime Minister is desperately looking for ways of averting a Commons defeat this week over his plans to introduce a flat-rate daily payment of about £150 to MPs for attending the Commons. David Cameron, the Conservative leader, yesterday claimed the "clocking-in" proposal – designed to replace the discredited second homes allowance – was "dead", while a Cabinet Minister privately conceded that Mr Brown's proposals in their present form would be rejected in Thursday's vote.
One of the biggest complaints among MPs is that under the new system they would receive no cash towards their mortgage interest or rent payments during the 11-week summer recess because the Commons is not sitting. Harriet Harman, the Leader of the Commons, has told mutinous MPs that the proposals include "transitional arrangements" to help them meet their bills over the summer. She mentioned no figures, but ministers are understood to be considering sanctioning a payment of between £2,000 and £5,000. It could be a one-off payment if a new expenses regime is introduced in 2010.
The Government insisted yesterday it would press ahead with a vote on the "clocking-in" plan, arguing that reform of the expenses system has to begin immediately in an attempt to restore public confidence in MPs.
But it is now looking for a compromise formula. It is considering combining a daily allowance payment with a requirement that Mps submit receipts detailing their mortgage or rent commitments. Alternatively they could face more detailed attendance checks to ensure they do not – in a phrase popular among MPs – simply sign on and sod off".
Ms Harman said yesterday: "No solution is going to be perfect. But we have got to address the problem because the public are entitled to expect there is a clear system and it is not abused."
Mr Cameron and Nick Clegg, the Liberal Democrat leader, refused to back the "clocking-in" proposal.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments