Birkenhead MP Frank Field: MPs must accept expenses squeeze

Nov 4 2009

Frank Field

His recommendations include:

* An end to MPs employing relatives at the taxpayers' expense, phased over five years.

* MPs from outside London to claim rent rather than mortgage relief.

* A veto on MPs living close to the capital claiming for second homes.

* No more £25-a-night subsistence claims.

* And reduced resettlement and travel grants.

Sir Christopher said: "Our proposals are fair and reasonable and bring Westminster in line with other walks of life and legislatures.

"They recognise the unique circumstances of an MP's life but are shorn of the special features which gave scope for exploitation."

Wirral South MP Ben Chapman is standing down at the next election following the row over his £15,000 claim for a "phantom" mortgage, even though officials admitted that he had acted within the existing rules.

And Crosby's Claire Curtis-Thomas is also quitting, claiming she had received death threats and her family abused after she topped the league for MPs' office and postage expenses.