BARRY Sheerman has called on MPs to form their own trade union to fight for “fairer” expenses.

The veteran backbencher yesterday offered to help set up a new professional association to represent the interests of Members of Parliament.

The Huddersfield Labour MP is unhappy with the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) – which was set up following the 2009 expenses scandal.

Mr Sheerman told the Examiner yesterday: “What people like me want is a system which is transparent and fair and open but which allows MPs to do their job for their constituents and their country.

“But Ipsa has got all sorts of rules. There are certain things which they refuse to deal with over the phone.

“There’s no sensible relationship with MPs, you can’t go and say ‘there’s this problem, let’s get it sorted out’.

“It’s a bureaucratic nightmare. The expenses system has become so complex and complicated that Gill O’Sullivan in my Huddersfield office spends most of Wednesday dealing with Ipsa.”

Mr Sheerman thinks MPs should form a trade union to fight for a simpler expenses system.

“There isn’t any forum where we can share common problems and challenges,” he said.

“I think a parliamentary association would do that in an effective and civilised way.”