DEWSBURY MP Shahid Malik plans to have his pay audited every year in a bid to restore public confidence in MPs’ expenses.

He is talking to accountants about an independent audit of how he has spent his allowance every year.

In the recent House of Commons votes on MPs’ pay Mr Malik voted against the proposed changes – known as the John Lewis reforms – which featured a pay increase and plans to audit MPs’ spending every four years. He also voted to ensure that MPs will not be able to set their own pay in future.

Mr Malik prefers the idea of allowances being set by an independent outside body.

He said: “Under my proposals I will be subject to four times the financial checks that MPs would have been subjected to under the rejected John Lewis reforms.

“If this is what it takes to rebuild public confidence in politicians, then it’s a small price to pay.”

He said the expenses system was confusing and misleading to the public.

Mr Malik says that MPs who are not wealthy spread their £23,000 allowance over many small costs, such as furnishings, food and travel. This means they have to declare where their money is going in more detail.

However, MPs with more money can afford to assign all of the £23,000 in one area, such as mortgage payments.

Mr Malik added: “It is not very clear. Most MPs are not doing anything against the rules, but it is very difficult for the public to understand.”