MPs to open the books on expenses
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 have been asked to formally agree that their expense claims are accurate ahead of their first release into the public eye this week.
MPs have been asked to formally agree that their expense claims are accurate ahead of their first release into the public eye this week.
Members of both Houses of Parliament are braced for public anger as the full scale of their cost to the taxpayer is revealed.
The exact figures for their travel, office and accommodation costs will be laid bare as a result of freedom of information legislation.
The Fees Office, which manages expenses, wrote to all members of the Commons last month enclosing details of their past three years' claims and asking them to agree they were accurate.
Although some MPs have sought to pre-empt an inevitable wave of criticism by publishing their claims ahead of the deadline on Tuesday, most have not.
Starkly different levels between MPs in neighbouring constituencies are bound to prompt questions, as are notably high claims for travel.
Close attention is also likely to be paid to the additional cost allowance, which gives MPs up to £20,000 to set against mortgage payments for their main home - even if it is not in their constituency.
"No one wants to be the one MP who has claimed the most so we are all trying, subtly of course, to establish what a 'normal' claim might be," said one nervous MP.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments