MPs' expenses

[PermitToTravel]

Really? Why do you think so many people are dishonest? I'm not aware of anyone I know ever fiddling expenses.

I don't, I just don't like gambling if not close to certain. I'm confident that the actual percentage of people here who've fiddled expenses is pretty low, significantly lower than 50%.

I disagree with that. Stealing from a business may have significant effects on the business. E.g.; like you say, they increase prices, then maybe they can't compete with others, the business closes and many people lose their jobs...
I don't see why that is significantly 'better' than taking money from the state, which can, as you say, raise taxes to make up the shortfall.


I just can't fathom this at all.
So it's better to rob an old lady of her pension, where she has to bear the entire burden, than to steal the same amount directly from the state, where the burden is shared by everyone?

You're probably right, and I need to think about this.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I was thinking of the media outrage that would happen if a benefit claimant committed fraud and I also suspect they'd not get away with a mere apology

My wife enquires if you ever have seen a TV programme called "Saints and Scroungers".

 

[Butts]

It must have been financially rewarding on "the expenses front" to be an MP before all this close scrutiny came to fruition.

What with duck pond houses et al - anything (almost) it seems went

 

[Minilad]

Oh yes they are!

Well thats the problem isn't it. They shouldn't be, but it seems too many of them think it's OK

 

[SS4]

My wife enquires if you ever have seen a TV programme called "Saints and Scroungers".

I've saw it in the TV Guide but never watched it.

 

[Clip]

The government seems to think that benefit fraudsters should face up to 10 years in jail. I don't see a why MP's expenses fraud should be treated any differently to benefit fraud.

Are MPs exes subject to the same tight legislation of that of people who claim any form of benefits though?

If they are not then they can not face the same punishment. Its worth pointing out that, no matter how bad she has been at doing this, the exes scandal showed up just how poor the legislation(is there any) surrounding what they could and could not claim.

Whereas for those on welfare you are simply told you can not claim for things you dont have - disability person living with you undeclared and all that.

Thats why they wont face the same sentencing as those who commit welfare fraud.

 

[fowler9]

More precisely, how many people have fiddled their expenses to the tune of a couple of thousands of pounds?

TheKnightWho is right. Despite it being quite a reprehensible thing to do, the amount that's claimed is only a fraction of the overall budget. The media pick up on it purely because of the size of the claims, and for what they've been claimed for (remember duck shelters?), and, moreover, because they're politicians ergo they're supposed to be in a position of up-most responsibility ()
I'm not defending politicians, but this is a practice that's not going to go away so long as new loopholes are exploited on virtually a daily basis.

Lets ignore all crime then because in isolation it is only a tiny amount.

 

[meridian2]

Lets ignore all crime then because in isolation it is only a tiny amount.

Straw-man argument; not all crime is 'tiny'.

 

[cjp]

Originally Posted by fowler9
Lets ignore all crime then because in isolation it is only a tiny amount.

Straw-man argument; not all crime is 'tiny'.

I think the comment you responded to was strong on sarcasm

 

[fowler9]

I think the comment you responded to was strong on sarcasm

''

Indeed mate. I apologise. 99% of what I say is intended with a huge pinch of salt.

 

[Butts]

Ah well Maria Miller has resigned so is that the end of this nonsense ?

Apparently she is going to resume her career as a Glamour Model

 

[Smudger105e]

Ah well Maria Miller has resigned so is that the end of this nonsense ?

Apparently she is going to resume her career as a Glamour Model

Am I missing the point here? Why is someone claiming thousands of pounds in fraudulent expenses 'nonsense'?

And she has only resigned as a Cabinet Minister, she is still an MP I understand.

 

[meridian2]

Am I missing the point here? Why is someone claiming thousands of pounds in fraudulent expenses 'nonsense'?

.

I think you've answered your own question there; claiming thousands of pounds in the first place is 'nonsense', insofar as it doesn't make sense to claim that sum of money.

That is , when you decide to take it out of context, as the media frequently do when it comes to the MP expense circus.

 

[Old Shire]

In my opinion this government is so weak, they back someone then let them resign. The police federation is in crisis and their top two have resigned .Labour got us into our present mess. I think l will just go on enjoying trains. Perhaps a new government should have people like Thomas,Emily and Percy in it!

 

[SS4]

In my opinion this government is so weak, they back someone then let them resign. The police federation is in crisis and their top two have resigned .Labour got us into our present mess. I think l will just go on enjoying trains. Perhaps a new government should have people like Thomas,Emily and Percy in it!

Would that make the Fat Controller PM? We've already seen that he is unsympathetic to strikes (The Sad Story of Henry) and is rather authoritarian who's subjects do back breaking work for nothing more than a word of praise

 

[Smudger105e]

In my opinion this government is so weak, they back someone then let them resign.

Labour got us into our present mess.

I'm totally confused now...
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Just being curious as to the logic here, if people are claiming welfare benefits legitimately, would their benefit pre-assessment not have revealed the similar capital sum when the benefit level was in the process of evaluation ?

I have just started signing on (first time I've been out of work for 38 years) and as I have not claimed benefits recently (I think it was within the last year) then JSA is not means tested.

 

[transmanche]

I have just started signing on (first time I've been out of work for 38 years) and as I have not claimed benefits recently (I think it was within the last year) then JSA is not means tested.

Yes, you can claim JSA for up to six months, based on your NI contribution record. After that, JSA is solely means-tested.

 

[jon0844]

I presume it's the assumption is that neither party can do a good job, which is probably fair to say. Hence why we swap from one to the other.

The Conservatives nearly always come in to fix the huge financial mismanagement of Labour, and then recovers this - but usually this means only certain people benefit from the recovery. This then creates extreme resentment, and so people get upset and vote back in Labour, which just repeats the cycle when we spend all our money, and then some.

What we need is neither Labour or the Conservatives in power, but there's clearly no credible alternative either.

We're screwed!!

 

[Emyr]

Out of interest, what was the money spent on?

• It is normal for non-London MPs to have a residence in their constituency and a residence in London for use when Parliament is in session.
• Non-London MPs may claim a housing allowance for a residence
• This may fund rent or mortgage payments.
• Capital Gains Tax is not payable on primary residences
• MPs may transfer the "primary" designation

In Ms Miller's case

• Claimed allowance for mortgage on house B
• Flipped primary from house A to house B
• Sold house B for loadsamoney
• Did not incur CGT
• Did not return the capital accumulated via expenses (as far as I know)
• Apologised for getting caught, as ever.

One rule for them, another for "scroungers"?

 

[455driver]

But some MPs have their second homes further away from London than their primary home (and constituency) because their boyfriend works down there!

So if you are ever caught and taken to court for fraud all you have to do is stand up, say you are sorry and give the money back.

We are all in it together!
My ar5e!