11/03/2008

MPs Face Expenses Clampdown

MPs are facing a reduction in the amount of expenses they can claim without receipts.

From April 1, MPs will have to submit receipts for claims over £25, instead of the current limit of £250, the Commons Members Estimate Committee said.

The committee also said that the amount of petty cash that MPs could use for office expenses would be lowered from £250 per month to £50 per month.

The committee said that the new limits would be "underpinned by a more robust regime for audit".

The report, which was published as part of the review, chaired by Commons Speaker Michael Martin, also said that some MPs said that they expected there to be a "more rigorous system" for checking that money had been spent on the purpose intended and said that there should be a system of random spot checks.

The committee said that meeting would be held with the National Audit Office, accountancy firms, HM Revenue & Customs and the Audit Commission in order to find the most practical and effective arrangement.

The report said: "In the issues paper we have undertaken to publish by the end of March, we will set out some possibilities to achieve a more rigorous audit regime.

"Our emerging conclusions will be produced in May before a final report in time for a decision by the House in July."

(KMcA)


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