MPs could be forced to ‘slum it’ in student-style accommodation

blog-4

MPs could be forced to move into student style accommodation under new plans being considered by the expenses watchdog.

In a bid to crack down on second-home allowances, Ipsa have listed a number of potential options, which include the possibility of MPs being housed in special “serviced accommodation”.

But MPs have reacted angrily to the news that they could be forced to “slum it” in university-style blocks.

Under current Ipsa guidelines MPs can claim up to £20,600 a year for rent and a maximum rate of £150 a night if they stay in a hotel.

Last year MPs with constituencies outside London spent £6.6 million on hotels, rentals and “associated costs”.

In the minutes of an Ipsa board meeting, the watchdog said the funding of MPs accommodation costs were “still viewed equivocally”.

They said: “This is particularly the case given that many MPs rent a property in London, retaining it throughout the year when Parliament only sits for circa 230 days of the year.”

However, one MP told the Mail on Sunday: “What they really mean is forcing us to slum it in university-style blocks which would be completely unacceptable.

“What are they going to do? Segregate us into different blocks according to party colours: Cameron’s lot in Tory Towers and Corbyn’s camp at Labour Lubyanka?” which would be completely unacceptable.

Leave a comment

Message
Name
E-mail
URL

0