North East MPs split on Kelly Report expenses system

Nov 5 2009 by William Green, The Journal

NORTH MPs were divided last night on radical changes to the controversial Commons expenses system.

Politicians from across the region spoke out as party leaders Gordon Brown and David Cameron said the Kelly report on should be fully accepted.

Sir Christopher Kelly, chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, said MPs should no longer be able to claim for their mortgages or employ family members at taxpayers’ expense.

And “flipping” of properties should end with any capital gains made thanks to the taxpayers handed back.

Sir Christopher said his blueprint was “fair and reasonable” but acknowledged it meant “substantial change” – and suggested changes be phased in during one more Parliament or for five years.

Sedgefield’s Phil Wilson said he would “ultimately” accept the report to draw a line under the expenses crisis, but attacked the ban on employing relatives.

The Labour MP, an aide to Health Secretary Andy Burnham, employs his partner Margaret Brown as his Parliamentary Assistant.

She was highly-qualified, worked “all the hours that God sends” and took a “substantial” pay cut from being a lawyer, said Mr Wilson. He warned it would cost taxpayers more for a replacement and called for consistent treatment of staff.

“MPs’ wives and family can claim travel for so many journeys. I think that is only right as well to be honest,” he said.

“But she cannot because we are not married because was not regarded as a member of the family. But for the purposes of Kelly, she is.”

Mr Wilson, who has always rented property, agreed MPs should no longer claim for mortgages.

Work and Pensions Minister Helen Goodman, MP for Bishop Auckland, said: “It is really bad for women’s representation in Parliament because of the assumptions underlying it.

“For example we are not allowed to claim cleaning, but we are allowed to have a second job. Who does that affect in any normal family?”