MPs’ expenses

The saga of MPs’ expenses rolls on – Scotland’s first minister Alex Salmond says that Westminster should use the Scottish parliament allowance scheme as a model to reform the system in the Commons. In Scotland members’ expenses are published every three months and the practice where some MSPs can claim interest on mortgages for second homes is being brought to an end. Meanwhile, Nick Clegg, Lib-Dem leader, has offered his suggestion – replacing the allowance with expenses for basic utility bills, council tax, and either rent of mortgage interest, with MPs prevented from making financial gains from any part of a mortgage paid for by the taxpayer. Gordon Brown has dismissed suggestions that dropping one of the key proposals for reform – replacing the second home allowance for a flat payment had been damaging.