Is it fair for MPs to claim expenses for their children?
George Osborne and Ed Miliband among 148 MPs claiming money for their younger families
THE Parliamentary pay watchdog is allowing almost 150 MPs to claim expenses associated with their children's accommodation and travel.
Chancellor George Osborne was among 148 MPs – with 300 children between them – who registered their "dependants" so they could claim more cash, according to the Daily Telegraph.
The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa), which monitors MPs' pay and expenses, has said that the arrangements are within the rules. But critics have nevertheless labelled the expenses as "unfair".
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
It is thought that nine ministers, as well as senior Labour figures Ed Miliband, Ed Balls and Yvette Cooper, were among those who made claims in order to rent larger family-friendly properties or pay for their children's travel. The allowances come as MPs look likely to receive a £10,000 pay rise.
Many MPs, who have a basic wage of £66,000, insist they should be compensated for the costs because they are required to have two homes.
Since 2010, MPs have reportedly claimed almost £140,000 for their children's travel. They can also claim up to £2,425 for each child who 'routinely resides' with them. However, more than 90 MPs are believed to have claimed above the accommodation cap of £20,000 a year.
Laura Perkins, a barrister who confronted Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg on his LBC radio phone-in show about benefit changes, told the Telegraph: "At a time when the finances for ordinary families are so tight, they need to think long and hard about whether what they are doing is fair. Every other family is having to meet expenses out of their ordinary salary."
Matthew Sinclair, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "Expenses are there to cover extra costs, not subsidise luxury apartments at taxpayers' expense."
But Caron Lindsay, co-editor of Liberal Democrat Voice, has said the expenses are "worth paying". She argued that removing these allowances might reduce the variety of MPs in Parliament, putting off parents with young children from standing. "On this one, I'd say leave them alone."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The history of Donald Trump's election conspiracy theories
The Explainer How the 2024 Republican nominee has consistently stoked baseless fears of a stolen election
By David Faris Published
-
Two ancient cities have been discovered along the Silk Road
Under the radar The discovery changed what was known about the old trade route
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
'People shouldn't have to share the road with impaired drivers'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
What is the next Tory leader up against?
Today's Big Question Kemi Badenoch or Robert Jenrick will have to unify warring factions and win back disillusioned voters – without alienating the centre ground
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What is Lammy hoping to achieve in China?
Today's Big Question Foreign secretary heads to Beijing as Labour seeks cooperation on global challenges and courts opportunities for trade and investment
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Britain about to 'boil over'?
Today's Big Question A message shared across far-right groups listed more than 30 potential targets for violence in the UK today
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
UK's Starmer slams 'far-right thuggery' at riots
Speed Read The anti-immigrant violence was spurred by false rumors that the suspect in the Southport knife attack was an immigrant
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The Tamils stranded on 'secretive' British island in Indian Ocean
Under the Radar Migrants 'unlawfully detained' since 2021 shipwreck on UK-controlled Diego Garcia, site of important US military base
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Britain's Labour Party wins in a landslide
Speed Read The Conservatives were unseated after 14 years of rule
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Will voter apathy and low turnout blight the election?
Today's Big Question Belief that result is 'foregone conclusion', or that politicians can't be trusted, could exacerbate long-term turnout decline
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published