£116,000 in 'home expenses'.... do you reckon Jacqui Smith is a Habitat or an IKEA woman?

Question

I may be a bit late on this one, but reports have emerged of Jacqui 'Kevlar dress code only' Smith asking for reimbursement of around £116,000 in 'home expenses'....

I know ministers have the privileges of reclaiming expenses, but does this not fly in the face of the nations subjects, many of whom are becoming accustomed to a more frugal way of living.

I am relatively uninformed on the rules and regs on ministerial allowances, and perhaps this is perfectly reasonable. Maybe I have fallen into the trap of being influenced by the media at this penny-pinching time.

Still, would a public breakdown of how she incurred these costs be fair, or too invasive? I for one argue it is definitely 'in the public interest'....

Answer 1

I think this is absolutely obscene - at a time when we are penny pinching to make ends meet and thousands face redundancy, MPs are still coining it in.



MPs can claim up to £22,000 for kitting out their homes with luxury items. Not content with 'earning' £67,000 a year, a backbench MP also claims, on average, £135,000 in allowances. They can claim £10,000 on a new kitchen, £6,000 for a bathroom and even £300 for a free-standing mirror.



I think they probably shop at Habitat or John Lewis rather than IKEA.



This contrasts with the principled attitude of Militant's three MPs in the 80s - they only took the average wage of those they represented. In Militant's successor, the Socialist Party, we still abide by this principle - for any elected representative, whether a trade unionist or an MP. Members of Parliament should work for the people, not abuse politics by using their position to pamper themselves. (see source)

Answer 2

Problem is there are probably no rules broken but most politicos know how far to swing the lead in the system. She is no different to any of the other parasites that do this that inhabit Westminster. She even had access to a grace and favor apartment but the £ signs must have been spinning in her eyes, £116,000, free and legal, oh yes please. Just another example as to why the whole expense system needs an overhaul. The only fair way to end this is halls of residence. Those that want to stay in London get a nice small apartment, en suite and they can be kept secure as well. Lights out 11pm unless entertaining visiting dignitaries.

Answer 3

Unfortunately, she hasn't done anything wrong, just bled the system dry. She did at least stop at the limit. Others don't. Morally it's indefensible but let's face it we're talking about politicians here not normal people. They have little regard for us and our way of life unless it impinges on theirs and then they squeal. They're all at it in the House of Commons. If WE, the public were to say to all the candidates at the next election you can have say £10k expenses for overnight accommodation and meals in London per year and therefore no second home allowance for the constituency, which should be their home anyway, how many do you think would walk away? Politicians are on a gravy train and we are paying their first class fare.

Answer 4

There is one rule for them, and totally another for Joe Public............if you or I were to send in a claim for "expenses, tax free I might add" would you be given a slap on the wrist and allowed to keep the money...........er, no, you would be banged up for fraud.

But the British government are laughing all the way to the bank literally, on the backs of the British tax payer. Shameful, disgraceful and dishonest. All who serve the public (a very loose term..) either in the House of Lords or the Commons should have their accountants out on the table for public inspection.........you would see more than a few £'s claimed illegally. Why do the UK public put up with this constant abuse of public money? They tax you to the hilt then spend it willynilly...............disgraceful. I no longer live in the UK thankfully

Answer 5

I can hardly wait until after the "London" olympics - there will be a vacant village, complete with security,catering,rail link - in fact everything an aquisitive politician could desire (well maybe not quite!!) with nothing else to do. No more need for allowances - just allocate them a room,complete with free transport to and from Westminster. It will also stop them selling publicly owned (funded) property to some greedy developer.

Answer 6

Obama's wife is also on a big spend..

She plans to do up the whole White House!

I don't even live in America, but this made me feel sorry for Americans..

These people need this economic crash, as they will eventually have to stop spending..

Just a matter of time.

Answer 7

Habitat????? Ikea??????



I reckon she is just another greedy pig feeding at the trough of so called expenses.



Half a dozen families could live well for a year on that amount, families who have never seen the inside of Ikea or Habitat.



You have wound me up for the day now Oms. LOL

Answer 8

Thieves the lot of them.



They get help with motgages, heating, entertaining etc. etc, a list too long to mention.



What do we get ?



NOWT !



All their expenses should be broken down and made public. Only then can we revolt !

Answer 9

On those kind of expenses - more like Prada, Gucci, Harrods & Hatton Garden.

Answer 10

Ha ha this made me laugh.... I think this came at a real bad time for the government and more importantly, she is defintely gotta be a Habitat woman!

Answer 11

More Fortnum and Mason, Harrods and Mappin& Webb.

Answer 12

I have a good mind of redistributing her fixtures and fittings between the people who really need them.

Answer 13

I don't know about "Habitat", but she definitely seems in the "Habit" of putting in the old fiddle-sheets on expenses.

Answer 14

Apparently it is her sisters house. She pays rent to her sister.

Keep it in the family eh.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/labour/4559918/Jacqui-Smith-admits-using-allowances-to-pay-rent-to-sister.html

Answer 15

Yes i do think so and you forgot Harrods. Its out of order!