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MPs 'should get pay rise and homes cash'

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Published Date: 28 August 2009
By Staff Copy
MPS should be handed a pay rise and have an allowance to kit out their second homes, an Sheffield MP has controversially claimed.
Sheffield Heeley MP Meg Munn said pay should be increased to "reflect the need to have two homes" and called for a set-up allowance to allow new MPs to furnish second homes.

She said: "It cannot be right that MPs whose background is one of limited
resources are unable to buy a bed or chair."

Ms Munn is one of a number of MPs who have made submissions to an inquiry into the discredited MPs' expenses system which call for a salary increase.

The Star reported last week that Sheffield Brightside MP David Blunkett told the Committee on Standards in Public Life it was time to "bite the bullet" and increase MPs' £64,766 salary.

Ms Munn's evidence opposed the suggestion of allowing MPs to claim only for rental payments, insisting subsidising mortgage interest payments was "often the cheapest option for public money".

She added: "An alternative suggestion, which I would support, is that the pay of MPs should be increased to reflect the need to have two homes.

"This would ensure the amount is taxable and would leave individual MPs to make arrangements that best suit them.

"It would also do away with a layer of bureaucracy in the House of Commons Fees Office."

Barnsley Central MP Eric Illsley called for an "enhanced salary" or a flat rate allowance, saying replacing the controversial second home allowance with a "substantial" pay rise would "require a courageous and sensible government".

Barnsley West and Penistone MP Michael Clapham urged the committee to tighten up the rules on MPs having second jobs, saying the register of interests is "too vague".

Sheffield Hallam MP Nick Clegg said MPs should no longer be allowed to own homes subsidised by the taxpayer and should have second home claims restricted to rental agreements, hotel costs, utility bills and council tax.

Rother Valley MP Kevin Barron said the issue of MPs' pay was a "major problem", adding: "I agree it would be possible, but I suspect impractical, to increase the level of basic pay to form part of simplifying current arrangements."

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  • Last Updated: 28 August 2009 9:13 AM
  • Source: Sheffield Star
  • Location: Sheffield
 
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Miserable Les,

28/08/2009 10:18:17
If I had my way I would more than halve the salaries of these worthless contemptible MPs and, only allow them very basic expenses against receipts. They really should be made to live in the real world with us, the serfs.
2

Robotic ,

28/08/2009 10:25:08

Rather than letting the dust settle on MP's expenses, Meg Munn, provokes another topical debate on MP salaries,this was probably brought about by the sunstroke she received during her so called paid for working holiday to Brasil.

Labour certainly know how to rub salt into the wounds of the public
3

all seeing eye,

28/08/2009 10:35:29
These egotistical parasites really know how to wind up us peasants. Lets hope a huge raft of independents stand in the next general election so that Munn, Clegg, Illsley and their ilk get booted out, a spell on the dole would teach them a lesson.
4

Sheffield-born 46,

28/08/2009 10:45:41
When I was in the armed forces I spent some time based in Scotland when my home was in Cornwall . As well as maintaining my home I also had to pay food and accommodation charges for living in Scotland. Furthermore, I could only afford to go home one weekend in six and that involved 12 hours travelling each way. MPs are such greedy, grasping parasites.
5

Sheffield-born 46,

28/08/2009 10:46:37
I meant to say: I didn't get any expenses or perks.
6

SleepyHead,

SHEFFIELD 28/08/2009 13:04:19
> MPS should be handed a pay rise and have an allowance to kit out their second homes, an Sheffield MP has controversially claimed.

MPs should be handed a pay cut and have to justify their expenses in the same way that everyone else has to - by submitting a receipt.


> She said: "It cannot be right that MPs whose background is one of limited resources are unable to buy a bed or chair."

Show me an MP with limited resources and I'll show you a liar.
7

AlienBlade,

28/08/2009 13:18:20
I would like to know which planet these MP's live on?

if they cant afford to buy a bed or a chair on £64k a year, how do they think the rest of the country has to manage? many on a quarter of their salaries,

they should use an apartment block, (maybe one of these that they expect others to live in) put in a bed, a chair a table, a fridge and a cooker, and say if you dont like it then you can travel and book alternate accomadation at your own expense!

if I was booked on a weeks course at work and they put me up at a holiday or or something along those lines, can you imagine if I turned round and said how dare you, I demand you book me in at the best place in town! I dont think I'd be in a job very long!

they should learn that we are their bosses! maybe if they did their jobs properly we'd not be in the mess we are in now, so rather than sucking more money from people who are already struggling, (as a raise in their wages will go hand in hand with a raise in our taxes) they should be advocating reduced pay to ease the burden!

people are losing their jobs due to lack of money in the country and they want more!
8

alchemist2k8,

28/08/2009 13:20:57
Yet again we see an overpaid parasite showing that they are not in touch with the real world. £64k is not enough to live on? Most of us have to live on FAR less than that.

When they stand for the job they know they have to lounge around, sorry "work", in London so that a second living area would be needed. I think the salary should be national average, ALL expenses removed and let them have a council flat in London OR their contstituancy. After all they do not need houses at both locations
9

nononsenseman,

rotherham 28/08/2009 13:30:00
so they're asking mp's how much they should get paid!

wonder what they'll say.would someone like to ask me what i should get paid.i might then get off the pay freeze that ive been on for the last 8 years.

i have to travel to london for work(proper work;not sitting on a bench for a couple of hours saying 'hear,hear').i get the 0500 train on monday morning from doncaster and am put in a hotel from monday to thursday.so why can't mp's do the same?

these crooks have no shame.

i hope the people of heeley are reminded of this when the next election comes round.
10

Freeman of this land,

28/08/2009 13:56:59
These are the last gasps from a supporter of a dying and doomed regime.Meg Munn made all sorts of silly promises to ensure she was re-elected at the last GE,honesty and integrity were not amongst the words she used, perhaps their meanings escapes her?
Her electorate would do well to bear this in mind in 2010 at the next election.
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