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February 08, 2008
iPods and Fish Tanks courtesy of us taxpayers
A Freedom of Information Tribunal yesterday revealed that MPs can claim up to £400 a month in food expenses without producing a receipt, writes Sam Coates of The Times. This means that MPs could easily go to a supermarket, buy an iPod, and claim it under their food allowance since no receipt would need to be diclosed.The tribunal was being held as part of a two day hearing to determine whether more details of the £23,000 additional costs allowance given to MPs to maintain a second home need to be reviewed. According to Andrew Walker, director general of resources since 1997, one item that is potentially claimable under the expense is a fishtank. Walker, though, did acknowledge that items such as plasma TVs were probably too expensive to be claimed. While I do have faith most if not all MPs aren't out buying iPods with their food money, we better hope the tribunal determines more receipts and details are necessary before our next major money scandal involves MPs buying electronics with our tax money.
Posted by joshloewenstein on February 08, 2008
