How is politicians stealing from the taxpayer a non-story ?
No doubt she will get another role at a different organisation, with a salary likely in excess of her MP income, and not repay the full amount.
It's classic tory arrogance that she's still resigning as it's a 'Distraction to government'. Not because she cheated the expenses, not because she tried to bully the independent independent commissioner, not because she didn't pay any capital gains on the £1m plus profit on sale of house. Tosser.
I may br wrong but I seem to recall the expenses scandal came about as a legacy of the Thatcher era. In Thatchers time it was decided that to hike politicians wages would not go down well with the public so there was a bit of a secret agreement that you could pile a few extra expenses on to compensate.
It appears that this then became the norm and was not actually stopped until it all erupted recently. Whether you agree with the principal or not it COULD be viewed that the tax payer would have still paid the cost of higher MP salaries instead of higher expense claims.
She has only resigned as Culture Secretary, so although no longer a minister, she is still an MP with all the perks that come with that, just on a lower salary than before.
She hasn't paid the capital gains because its not due yet. Any tax liability she decides to declare will become due in the next tax year.
Having made those comments, I personally agree that she should have been sacked as an MP and prosecuted, as should every single MP caught with their fingers in the till, be it for £45k, £5k, or £500. This is fraud/theft and should NEVER result in just a slap on the wrist. I don't think this has anything to do with party politics though. They have all been at it and all happily covering up for each other so nothing to do with "classic tory arrogance", Labour and Liberal MPs have shown equal contempt for the standard committee and the basic premise that it is our money they are stealing.
My solution:
All MPs should receive "Grace and Favour" properties in London and, along with their own constituency home, be able to live in either/both as suits their requirements for parliamentary and constituency business.
The running costs of these London properties should be met, in full, by the tax payer, but we remain the beneficial owners of the property and were they to be sold, then the proceeds come back to the public purse. There can be more properties available than there are MPs, allowing for some small degree of choice and contingency for repair/etc, but they are allocated by some form of 3choice+lottery - much the same way our kids get put in schools - and if they don't get their first/second/third choice then tough sh*t, live with it!
There should be a maintenance program in place that gives a budget for furniture and decorating every few years and if they want something else/more then they pay for it themselves.
All other expenses should be FULLY receipted and there should be no "allowances" for either property not otherwise covered by the "grace and favour" terms.
My wife works in London a lot and has to start early and finish late and all the hassle on the trains , why can't MP's do this ? I understand they are in London quite a lot so why don't the parties have shares in hotels and have a floor or two for using for the MP's ? this would save the treasury a lot of money .
In any other profession fraudulently claiming expenses (or theft as it is) of £45k would lead to gross misconduct and being sacked.
No doubt she will get another role at a different organisation, with a salary likely in excess of her MP income, and not repay the full amount.
My wife works in London a lot and has to start early and finish late and all the hassle on the trains , why can't MP's do this ? I understand they are in London quite a lot so why don't the parties have shares in hotels and have a floor or two for using for the MP's ? this would save the treasury a lot of money .
They are in London an awful lot and so it makes sense for them to have semi-permanent residence there.
London? Guess where the MP for Worthing has his 2nd residence?
I would give them a pay rise and take away expenses, then let them spend it how they liked. Personally I'd stop them having second jobs too while they're in office.