MPs will throw out reforms and keep the John Lewis list

Half an hour ago, MPs had their first meeting with the Members' Estimate committee over expenses. It went badly for Team Speaker. Around 40 MPs were there, and they have unravelled the fine print of their proposals. As I said in the principles of their case may be OK. But the fine print is making many people unhappy. The people who want this thrown out, say: 1. The external audits of MPs expenses will cost £1,500 a day and take three days. They are designed to interrogate staff over whether they represent taxpayer value for money, even though the MP, rather than Parliament, is their legal employer. 2. If an MPs main home is designated as London, and they 'overnight' in their constituency, why should'nt they claim the £30 a day. How will they "prove" they are working. 3. If they keep the current system - including the ability... [read full story]