Reading West MP Martin Salter and Labour candidate for Reading East Anneliese Dodds who, back in May, published their own seven-point plan to clean up and restore faith in the political system have signalled their strong support for the proposals announced today in the report by Sir Christopher Kelly.

The Reading Labour duo’s proposals were to:-

• Sack all Ministers and Shadow Ministers who have been systematically enriching themselves at the taxpayer’s expense by playing the system and breaking the spirit of the rules if not the letter.
• Deselect all MPs who have blatantly broken the rules or who have failed to put their affairs in order.
• End “moonlighting” by MPs. No second jobs or company directorships. A full-time commitment for a full-time salary.
• Parliament to lose the right to set the level of MPs’ salaries and allowances in favour of a genuinely independent body.
• Remove the ability for MPs to profit personally from second home allowances.
• Only essential London accommodation allowances to be paid- and all claims to be capped. Nothing claimable for third or fourth homes.
• The publication of all claims and receipts every three months on the Parliamentary website.

In comparison Sir Christopher Kelly’s recommendations are

•  MPs will not be able to claim for mortgage interest payments on second homes. They will only be able to claim for rent or hotel stays. Existing mortgage arrangements to be valid for lifetime of next Parliament.
• Endorsed ban on MPs claiming for gardening and cleaning costs. Second home claims to be limited to basic claims such as utility, telephone and council tax bills.

• The practice of “flipping” will be banned. Any MP making a capital gain on the sale of a subsidised home will have to pay that amount back.  A ban on MPs employing family members on their payroll. Change to be phased in over five years.
• MPs within “reasonable commuting distance” of London will not be able to claim the new second homes allowance. He expected that to cover about 66 MPs, 12 more than at present.
• Resettlement grants for MPs retiring voluntarily will be stopped from the general election after next. They will receive eight weeks pay instead.
• Candidates to become MPs must declare all their external financial interests and second jobs they want to keep. MPs to be allowed to undertake some paid work outside the Commons “within reasonable limits”.
• £10,000 a year communications allowance to be abolished.
• MPs working late in the Commons to be reimbursed for transport home or overnight stays in London.
• All expenses must be accompanied by receipts or relevant documentary evidence.
• MPs to continue to be able to recruit their own staff but this must be done on basis of merit and open selection.

Martin Salter said:-

“The reputation of the House of Commons will only recover if Members of Parliament fully accept the broad thrust of Sir Christopher Kelly’s long overdue reforms many of which are in line with the seven point plan that Anneliese and myself published back in May. I want a system that stops Members of Parliament from being able to personally enrich themselves through the accommodation allowance which should only cover essential expenditure not luxuries.

However we must ensure that the pendulum does not swing so far the other way and create a system whereby membership of the House of Commons is only open to those of private wealth or with external sponsorship. I believe that Kelly has got it about right and would not support attempts by MPs to try and trigger a vote on the floor of the House. Instead they should accept the principles in the report and allow the new Independent Parliamentary Authority (IPSA) to sort out the details and any anomalies free of political interference”.

He added:-

“Obviously I am disappointed that Kelly has not gone further and completely outlawed the scandal of second jobs for MPs but he is at least putting some further restrictions in place to protect the public interest. Any criticisms of Kelly can only be at the margins and should be left to IPSA to resolve. This report gives us an opportunity to draw a line under a disgraceful chapter in our Parliamentary history and move on to focus on the real issues of importance to the British people such as jobs, the economy and our public services”.

Anneliese Dodds said:- “Back in May, Martin and I argued for a cleaned-up expenses system, based on the principles of transparency, fairness, and value for money. Both Martin and I have tried to put these principles into practice. I have always pledged not to take a second home in London, nor would I abuse the expenses system in the way that many MPs from all parties have done (and Martin’s clean record on these matters is there for all to see).

Moving forward, Sir Christopher Kelly’s report, although not perfect, goes a long way towards making the expenses system more transparent, fairer and better value for money. I hope that MPs from all parties will accept the need for change and get on with the task of sorting out the expenses system once and for all”.