So, the release of UK MP’s expenses have rocked the political landscape unlike anything in recent years.
The fact that the expenses are varied and, in some cases involve a lot of money isn’t that surprising. I can see how an MP’s life can mean a lot of different types of expenses in the course of doing their job.
No, my problem is in the types of things that are being claimed. Second homes are, under certain circumstances acceptable but there seems to have been more than one case where this “perk” has been deliberately abused in order to increase the MP’s personal income.
I cannot see how expensive TV’s, Rugs and clearing a moat can, under any circumstances be claimed back.
In the working environments I have experienced, your claims for expenses have to be shown as a direct result of doing your job. They have to be backed up with suitable proof of purchase such as a receipt and have to be agreed by the company before payment.
So how does one claim an expensive rug as part of your role as an MP. Is an £8000 TV set a vital part of an MP’s function? More than that, why were these not questioned at the time?
Now, all the MP’s agree that the system is wrong but that wasn’t a complaint being made before these revelations.
In these times of credit crunch and cut backs this blatent waste of public funds is unforgivable.
