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MPs slash expenses by JUST 56p!

by Dave Keating | March 26, 2008 at 12:50 am | 94 views | 1 comment | 0 recommendations

[Channel 4 News] British MPs in expenses controversy

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In a move to restore trust after numerous reports of expenses abuses, the expenses of all memebrs of parliament in the UK are to be scrutinised by forensic auditors.

On average, MPs claim £135,000 a year in expenses. The reforms call for abolishing a number of these allowances, such as furnishings and home improvement. But media reports in the UK have pointed out that the agreements would only force MPs to cut their expenses by 56 pence ($1.10) a day!

Grasping MPs agreed to clamp down on their lucrative expenses yesterday - by just 56p a day.

A major overhaul will see them subject to spot-checks to make sure they are not fiddling the books.

And they axed what was dubbed the "John Lewis list" - luxury items they can claim without receipts to refurbish and kit out second homes near Parliament.

But they cut their yearly accommodation allowance by a total of just 0.86 per cent, from £24,006 to £23,800.