Huddersfield area MPs on expenses disgrace - plus what they can claim

May 13 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

LOCAL MPs have united to condemn the shambles of Westminster expenses.

They claim they are appalled by the revelations over payments for swimming pool repairs, pet food and horse manure, leaked over the past few days.

But they say that the majority of MPs in the Commons are honest and hardworking, and do not abuse the system.

Critics point out that the rules were approved and ultimately policed by the very people who are now accused of stretching them to the limit – the MPs themselves.

But are they right? Or are MPs merely victims of a system beyond their control?

The answer lies partly within the covers of the official guide to Members’ allowances – otherwise known as the Green Book.

This 66-page House of Commons publication lays out in detail exactly what MPs are allowed to claim for and it is updated annually.

Civil servants write the rules under the instruction of MPs and the rules are set out in the Green Book.

Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman insists the Government must accept the findings of independent reviews into pay and expenses.

“I have seen Thatcher, Major, Blair and Brown all reject the previous findings.