Accountability
I was intending to write a post today called “In Defence of MPs” (really) but then I read this:
The amount of expenses MPs can claim without a receipt is to be cut from £250 to £25 from 1 April.
The Commons Members Estimates Committee ruled out demanding proof over smaller claims, as MPs often use cash on items “for which receipts are not given”.
You what?
I have a lot of experience administering expenses and petty cash in retail. I’ve done it for a large store which was part of a national chain and for a small independent. In both cases, receipts were required for everything, big or small.
Taxis? Just ask for a reciept. Taxi drivers are used to it.
Stamps? The Post Office will give you a reciept for one stamp if you want one.
Train tickets? Petrol? Pencils? Big boozy breakfasts? Hilton Hotels? Shouldn’t be a problem. In fact, it just wasn’t an issue. I can’t think of a single purchase where a receipt wasn’t available.
To be fair, MPs probably spend their expenses on slightly different things than retailers… hang on, that’s it. I’m coming at this from the wrong angle.
What about prostitutes and drug dealers? I bet they aren’t that keen to provide a receipt for your records…
john b said,
March 11, 2008 @ 6:28 pm
According to music business lore, hookers and drug dealers go down in the accounts as “fruit and flowers”…
But yeah. I work at a company with quite a civilised expenses policy [previously, worked for one with a downright evil expenses policy…], and even they require a receipt for everything.
ian said,
March 11, 2008 @ 10:08 pm
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/faqs/general.htm#6
6. I suspect someone of evading tax, what can I do?
Any suspicion can be reported in confidence to any local Tax Office.
Alternatively, you can call our Anti-fraud Helpline on 0800 788887.
It is open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5pm
Shall we start with Mr Conway?
ZinZin said,
March 11, 2008 @ 11:25 pm
What about prostitutes and drug dealers? I bet they aren’t that keen to provide a receipt for your records…
It depends on what your buying, some of those services may cost less than £25.
Seriously though its rather silly this no receipt if its under £25 rule. They can use public monies to buy freeview boxes, DVDs, books, CDs…..
Sim-O said,
March 12, 2008 @ 10:27 am
I even get asked if I want a receipt when I top up the credit on my mobile by text.
also, what’s to stop them spending £100 and putting down as 5 things that might cost £20.
thefatman said,
March 12, 2008 @ 2:09 pm
It surprises me so few commentators on the MPs expenses issue seem to have looked at the regime used in teh Scottish parliament. Here every penny is accountable with receipts and published on line right down to 70p for newspaper! Taxis include a note of where they were going and why (not sure if that is required but seems common practice)
Take a look http://mspallowances.scottish.parliament.uk/MSPAllowances/default.aspx
Why can’t they save some time and money and clone this system?
Because they have things to hide.
thefatman
Scottish Roundup » Blog Archive » Swearing, but not swearing allegiance said,
March 16, 2008 @ 12:23 pm
[…] of wasted money, MPs’ expenses are still under scrutiny. Garry wonders why MPs find it so much more difficult than the rest of us to get receipts for things. Mr. […]
Bloggerheads said,
April 1, 2008 @ 6:29 am
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Annie Besant said,
April 27, 2008 @ 1:27 pm
Hey, Big Stick, you on yur holidays or something/