MPs' second mortgages and nepotism 'banned'
MPs could be prevented from claiming for second home and employing family members under new expenses rules
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By Matt Hallam. |  |
Wednesday, 28, Oct 2009 09:40
By inthenews.co.uk staff..
MPs could be banned from claiming the cost of mortgage payments on their second home and from employing family members, reports claim.
The Kelly committee, which was set up in the wake of the expenses scandal, is understood to be reviewing the situation with second homes, which could require MPs to rent rather than buy.
Sir Christopher Kelly, chairman of the committee on standards in public life, is also expected to suggest MPs will no longer be able to employ family members, after some cases of abusing the system were exposed.
The changes could be brought in over a five-year period, and if approved, could see all MPs excluded from claiming for a second home, unlike the current system which only excludes those who live in central London.
Sir Alistair Graham, a former chairman of the standards committee, told Sky News: "At first glance this seems a sensible set of proposals.
"I sincerely hope MPs will accept them. It will be very damaging to our political system if they don't."
While Conservative MP Nadine Dorries tweeted: "I've employed a member of my family since the day a journalist gave my researcher £250 in cash as advance payment for any 'tit bits' of info"
Since the expenses scandal was exposed by the Daily Telegraph MPs have repaid hundreds of thousands of pounds in expenses. Sir Christopher's report is due to be officially published on November 4th.