MPs concerned over interim expenses arrangements

MPs raised concerns about the interim measurements for allowances at business questions this morning, following the publication of the Kelly review of their expenses system. Skip related content

Harriet Harman, the leader of the House, said the Commons must get on with setting up the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) to take forward the Kelly proposals and implement them.

During Commons exchanges, she said MPs will no longer be able to use their £10,400 communications allowance from the end of the year, until the next general election.

Shadow leader of the Commons George Young called for a further debate on how the Kelly review will be implemented.

He argued that of the 60 recommendations made in the report, at least twelve had been decisions that need to be made by the House and a further ten will require legislation.

Therefore a third of the measures proposed will need further legislation, which will be necessary for the proposals to be implemented in full.

Following the appointment of Sir Ian Kennedy as chair of Ipsa, Sir George made a further call that the Commons leader would ensure any further appointments do not just appear on the order paper "out of surprise".

Harman responded that there were decisions that needed to be taken by the House and decisions that would need legislative change.

She said that "as far as this House is concerned", Ipsa must be allowed to get on with its work.

Emily Thornberry (Lab, Islington South and Finsbury) welcomed the report and called for clarification over transitional arrangements for the communications allowance.

Harman responded that there were a number of transitional issues and that December 31 has been proposed as an end date for the communications allowance.

Instead "new expenditure limits" on election spending were to be implemented from January 1.

She added: "I know MPs will be concerned about how they do things like advertise their advice surgeries once the communications allowance has ceased.

"I think we will have to have some guidance on this from the members estimate committee and possibly it might be possible that sort of thing could be dealt with under the office costs allowance."

Sir Nicholas Winterton (Con, Macclesfield) asked if it was necessary to amend sitting hours in the Commons as a result of the Kelly Report proposals.

Harman agreed that whatever changes Ipsa make as a result of the Kelly report, it will be done so as to ensure people can get on with their work.