BBC NEWS Chancellor Alistair Darling has become the latest minister to be drawn into the row over MPs' second home expenses.
His spokeswoman said he broke no rules by claiming for his Edinburgh home and renting out his London flat while living in 11 Downing Street rent-free.
In Mr Darling's case, he was taxed on the benefit of living in Downing Street and paid council tax there, his spokeswoman said.
"Alistair Darling moved as chancellor into Downing St in 2007 - No 11 Downing Street became his main home - so his Edinburgh home was re-designated as his second home.
"His own London home was rented out to cover costs and this was openly declared in the register of members' interests," she said.
She said he did not claim the maximum allowance for his second home in Edinburgh. Last year he claimed £9,837 of the total £23,083 allowed.
This is about double the old age pension.
Geoff Hoon had a similar arrangement when he was living in a taxpayer-funded Whitehall flat as defence secretary.
Commons leader Harriet Harman said "big changes" in the rules were likely after an independent probe into expenses.
Mr Hoon, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and Minister Tony McNulty have all found their second homes expenses scrutinised in recent weeks.
Transport Secretary Mr Hoon has said he broke no rules by claiming second home allowances while living in a taxpayer-funded apartment and renting out his London flat.
Ms Smith has contested newspaper claims that she billed taxpayers £40 for a barbecue in her second home.
She has already apologised for "mistakenly" claiming £10 for adult films her husband watched, and is being investigated after claiming at least £116,000 for her constituency house in Worcestershire.
These “leaders” may not be breaking the “law” but they are certainly pissing off the electorate.
“Rich men without convictions are more dangerous in modern society than poor women without chastity.” George Bernard Shaw
Angus
Angus Dei on all and sundry
NHS Behind the headlines
NHS-THE OTHER SIDE
His spokeswoman said he broke no rules by claiming for his Edinburgh home and renting out his London flat while living in 11 Downing Street rent-free.
In Mr Darling's case, he was taxed on the benefit of living in Downing Street and paid council tax there, his spokeswoman said.
"Alistair Darling moved as chancellor into Downing St in 2007 - No 11 Downing Street became his main home - so his Edinburgh home was re-designated as his second home.
"His own London home was rented out to cover costs and this was openly declared in the register of members' interests," she said.
She said he did not claim the maximum allowance for his second home in Edinburgh. Last year he claimed £9,837 of the total £23,083 allowed.
This is about double the old age pension.
Geoff Hoon had a similar arrangement when he was living in a taxpayer-funded Whitehall flat as defence secretary.
Commons leader Harriet Harman said "big changes" in the rules were likely after an independent probe into expenses.
Mr Hoon, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and Minister Tony McNulty have all found their second homes expenses scrutinised in recent weeks.
Transport Secretary Mr Hoon has said he broke no rules by claiming second home allowances while living in a taxpayer-funded apartment and renting out his London flat.
Ms Smith has contested newspaper claims that she billed taxpayers £40 for a barbecue in her second home.
She has already apologised for "mistakenly" claiming £10 for adult films her husband watched, and is being investigated after claiming at least £116,000 for her constituency house in Worcestershire.
These “leaders” may not be breaking the “law” but they are certainly pissing off the electorate.
“Rich men without convictions are more dangerous in modern society than poor women without chastity.” George Bernard Shaw
Angus
Angus Dei on all and sundry
NHS Behind the headlines
NHS-THE OTHER SIDE
No comments:
Post a Comment