A parliamentary watchdog is quietly proposing to let MPs representing outer London constituencies claim over £30,000 a year of public money to rent a flat in the capital, after they complained about the difficulty of commuting home to their families.
Plans to Scrap Outer London Accommodation Limits
The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) has published a consultation that could tear up rules established after the 2009 expenses scandal. Those rules currently prevent MPs with seats in outer London from claiming for a second home near Parliament. Instead, they receive a London Area Living Payment (LALP) of £6,570 per year.
In its new proposal, IPSA suggests these MPs should be allowed to give up that annual payment and instead claim for the cost of renting a flat or staying in hotels. The accommodation costs could be capped at £31,840 a year, the same amount available to MPs whose constituencies are outside London.
MPs Cite 'Strain' on Family Life from Commute
IPSA states it has received feedback since the election about the challenges faced by outer London MPs. It cites 'long hours in Westminster, combined with long off-peak journeys back home', which in some cases is 'putting a strain on their family lives and ability to carry out their caring responsibilities'.
Examples of MPs who could benefit include:
- Liberal Democrat Helen Maguire (Epsom and Ewell, Surrey) – a 35-minute train journey to Waterloo.
- Labour's Jim Dickson (Dartford, Kent) – around 35 minutes by train from London Bridge.
- Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper (St Albans, Hertfordshire) – an average 29-minute train from St Pancras.
- Conservative Neil Hudson (Epping Forest, Essex) – an average 55-minute Tube ride.
IPSA said it would be up to each MP's personal judgement to decide if they could 'justify this use of taxpayers’ money'.
Fresh Row Looms Over Expenses and Extra Benefits
The move risks reigniting public anger over MPs' expenses, reminiscent of the 2009 scandal which saw five Labour MPs and two Tory peers jailed for abuses including flipping second home designations and tax evasion.
The proposed change is part of a wider review of benefits. The consultation also suggests:
- Allowing MPs to claim back costs for foreign work trips for their staff.
- Extending financial support for MPs' children for up to six months after they turn 18.
- Lifting the current £1,000 cap on 'reward and recognition' bonuses for staff, with no proposed upper limit (though overall staffing budgets would remain).
An IPSA spokesman emphasised: 'None of the proposals are finalised. We will publish the outcomes in the New Year.' The final decision will determine whether MPs with relatively short commutes can once again bill the public for a London crash-pad.
