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http://uk.news.yahoo.com/14/20090421...o-81c5b50.html
Gordon Brown has made a surprise announcement limiting MPs' ability to claim expenses.
Releasing a video this morning on YouTube, Mr Brown said he would introduce "urgent" interim plans for making allowances simpler and less generous.
Second home allowance would be replaced with a flat daily rate for MPs attending parliament, thereby basing their allowance on their level of attendance.
Those ministers with official residences would lose their right to a second home.
Staff appointed by MPs would become employees of the House of Commons, allowing greater scrutiny of the work they do.
Many of the proposals appeared in the debate on the current system last year – a debate Mr Brown failed to attend.
With a vote on the proposals early next week, the government is evidently trying to shut the issue down, after damaging headlines about MPs' expenses dominated political coverage for months on end.
Gordon Brown has made a surprise announcement limiting MPs' ability to claim expenses.
Releasing a video this morning on YouTube, Mr Brown said he would introduce "urgent" interim plans for making allowances simpler and less generous.
Second home allowance would be replaced with a flat daily rate for MPs attending parliament, thereby basing their allowance on their level of attendance.
Those ministers with official residences would lose their right to a second home.
Staff appointed by MPs would become employees of the House of Commons, allowing greater scrutiny of the work they do.
Many of the proposals appeared in the debate on the current system last year – a debate Mr Brown failed to attend.
With a vote on the proposals early next week, the government is evidently trying to shut the issue down, after damaging headlines about MPs' expenses dominated political coverage for months on end.
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