MP Expenses

[yorkie_chris]

They are aiming for a system reminiscent of 1960s Russia.

Originally Posted by gettin2dizzy

I do find it somewhat ironic though; that the only qualification Mr Darling has in the world of finance, is how to cheat the expenses system so successfully (yes our Chancellor is a solicitor). Is it any wonder they've lead us in to this situation when all of their days were taken thinking-up ways to 'cheat' the system?

I am sure that you are not suggesting that solicitors generally are dishonest...

I have to have an annual audit of my client account by a registered auditor. The rules are exceptionally strict and it's most unusual for any law firm to have an unqualified audit. So for example, it's easy to overdraw a client accoount by mistake, easy for an office account to go into credit, easy to sit on a small balance in client account for a week or two - all are breaches of the rules. One of my cases for example went overdrawn because the bookkeeper misread the client reference number - 100484 - as 100404. I can't check all the input on a daily basis - I spotted it the next day - but too late, I had an overdrawn client account, duly reported to the SRA. And if a client account is short for whatever reason, I am personally responsible for making it good.

Failure to file a report within six months of the year end is a serious disciplinary matter, and apart from the likely Disciplinary Tribunal proceedings, means that the culprit's practising certificate is automatically suspended.

So the degree of financial probity required is exceptionally high. Which is a good thing, as there is no place for crooks here.

Shame that MPs and cabinet ministers seem to think that the object of the expenses rules is to milk as much as possible.

Incidentally the cost of a Solicitors Accounts Rules Audit is around £4,000 + VAT. Guess who has to pay...

Originally Posted by Ed

I am sure that you are not suggesting that solicitors generally are dishonest....

Nope. Just that it's astounding that we have people in positions of such power that are far removed from their skills or training.

I find it amusing that they're needing to be watched so closely. Its akin to marking a headteacher 'present' on a resister twice a day.

[Spiderman]

viva la revolution !!!!!!

Sign me up and give me a badge. "volatile if woken" sounds good for me

Oh and if we're gonna have a bit of land somewhere can it be down south a bit, too bloody cold up north.

Originally Posted by Spiderman

viva la revolution !!!!!!

Sign me up and give me a badge. "volatile if woken" sounds good for me

Oh and if we're gonna have a bit of land somewhere can it be down south a bit, too bloody cold up north.

How's the Med for you?

Haha. Hazel Blears is paying £13k in tax.... although she was 'within the rules' That's £13k for $hits and giggles then

But never to be outdone, Phil Hope is paying £41k back ... because ...he wants to correct the 'dreadful perception and he enriched himself with taxpayers' money'

£40,000 on a whim, to prove you've not been enriched? Haha. I'm almost beginning to like this government.

I can't get my head round how a Cabinet minister can think it's OK to have the place as a second home for the expenses rules, and as a first home for the Inland Revenue. It is blatantly immoral and she has no place in high office. If she rtreats her own financeds like this, how can we be sure that she hasn't fiddled the public purse in other ways?

[SoulKiss]

I really hope that they dont manage to weasle there way out of this by apology and pay-back.

I REALLY want to see a criminal investigation against each and everyone of them, as well as them being dismissed from their jobs for Gross Negligence/Theft from an employer

Its what would happen to any one of us that fiddled our expenses and then got caught.

Originally Posted by SoulKiss

I really hope that they dont manage to weasle there way out of this by apology and pay-back.

I REALLY want to see a criminal investigation against each and everyone of them, as well as them being dismissed from their jobs for Gross Negligence/Theft from an employer

Its what would happen to any one of us that fiddled our expenses and then got caught.

Wow. For once I totally agree with you Brown's 'apology' for 'mistakes' - what mistakes?? That they didn't put their snouts in the trough even deeper?

If only they were as competent at getting such 'value' with the rest of the public money not spent on themselves

And have they missed the point completely? The money doesn't matter one little bit...