AUTHORITIES MUST LOOK AGAIN AT SECOND HOME RULES - MULHOLLAND
February 10, 2009 8:28 PM
Greg Mulholland MP has called for the House of Commons authorities to review the system of allowances relating to payments for MP's second homes in a motion tabled in Parliament today.
In the motion Greg calls for a review of existing allowances to prevent MPs from claiming homes as their 'main residence' when it is not where they spend the majority of their time, and for the ring-fencing of this allowance so that it can only be spend on rent, mortgage, or hotel costs.
Commenting Greg said:
"The current allowances system is a mess - how can it be right for people to claim second homes allowance when they have residence which comes with their job, or for a residence that is not their own, or is miles away from Parliament?
"There needs to be root and branch reform of the system, starting with ring-fencing of this funding so that it can only be spent on housing or hotel costs.
"What we need is a system which is fair, transparent, and which actually meets the genuine costs incurred by MPs as they divide their time between Westminster and their constituencies."
Liberal Democrat MP, Norman Baker has also written to the Speaker of the House of Commons asking for the rules governing claims for MPs' second homes to be reconsidered. In the letter, Norman Baker said:
"To most people, the place where you and your family lives and perhaps did so before your election, where you return to when you are not working, and which serves as a base for your children to go to school, is your main residence.
"A 'pied-à-terre' in London, or a room in a relative's house, cannot sensibly be regarded as a main residence. It is clearly a second residence.
"Yet this test seems not to be applied by all Members. Indeed, I understand one Member claims that his ancestral castle is his second home, and claims accordingly for the lichen to be removed from its walls. This cannot be right."
What would you like to do next?
-
Subscribe for updates
Follow the party's activity on...
- Twitter:
- Liberal Democrats
- Facebook:
- Liberal Democrats
- YouTube:
- Liberal Democrats