MPs complain again about Ipsa

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20th January 2011

The parliamentary expenses watchdog must reform, the Commons has been told.

At questions to the leader of the House, MPs aired more complaints about Ipsa.

Simon Hart (Con, Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire) condemned its cost and its complex bureaucracy, with MPs' staff making 1,700 a week to Ipsa.

Kevan Jones (Lab, North Durham) condemned "ill-informed comments" about MPs' expenses made in the press by a member of the Ipsa board.

Commons leader Sir George Young said the new liaison group announced by Mr Speaker earlier this week, made up of MPs from all parties, will allow proper consultation and discussion between MPs and Ipsa, without the "public acrimony".

Nicky Morgan (Con, Loughborough) complained that Ipsa failed to tell her it had put in place a direct payment of her rent in London so her landlord was paid twice.

Sir George said he wants to end the need for payments to go in and out of MPs' bank accounts.

"If we can move more towards direct payments by IPSA or the use of a credit card, the sort of misunderstanding that has just occurred could be avoided," he said.

Shadow Commons leader Helen Jones, who is a member of the liaison group, called for "a simpler, cheaper and non-discriminatory expenses system".

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