MPs yesterday defied calls to tighten up their much-criticised £24,000 “second home” expenses, despite growing public anger after a succession of scandals.
They voted down the recommendations of a Commons review that would have stopped them buying new kitchens, televisions and other household goods from the so-called ‘John Lewis list’.
It also means MPs will still be able to spend £400 a month on food shopping without receipts - and claim for items up to £25 without any proof of purchase.
The vote, by 172 to 144 - a majority of 28 - also means MPs’ expenses will only be internally audited, rather than face tougher checks by an outside body.
Most Merseyside MPs voted to keep the existing second home allowances; Ben Chapman (Wirral South), Rosie Cooper (West Lancashire), Angela Eagle (Wallasey), Maria Eagle (Liverpool Garston), Mike Hall (Weaver Vale), Stephen Hesford (Wirral West), George Howarth (Knowsley North and Sefton East), Peter Kilfoyle (Liverpool Walton), Andrew Miller (Ellesmere Port and Neston), Eddie O'Hara (Knowsley South), Christine Russell (Chester), Derek Twigg (Halton), Bob Wareing (Liverpool West Derby), Dave Watts (St Helens North) and Shaun Woodward (St Helens South).
The proposed shake-up - to replace the additional costs allowance (ACA) with an annual £19,600 accommodation allowance, plus £30-a-day for subsistence - was an attempt to restore public trust following the Derek Conway scandal.
It emerged in January that the Tory MP paid his son Freddie more than £40,000 over three years as a parliamentary researcher, despite him being a full time student in Newcastle.
There was further anger when husband and wife Tory MPs Sir Nicholas and Ann Winterton claimed £21,600-a-year to “rent” their second-home - even thought they had bought the flat outright and transferred into a family trust.
However, there were criticisms that the proposed new system would have allowed MPs to claim almost as much as they currently do, but with much less embarrassment .
