"MPs are also preparing to reopen the battle over salaries, arguing that it is unfair that they are paid £10,000 less than head teachers and £40,000 less than equivalent roles in the private sector.."

Really.....perhaps they should go and work in these roles and earn their keep!!

Sat, London, UK

wait...there is a parliamentary review to see if they deserve to get a raise?... I wish I could decide if I was getting a raise or not

Dan, Manchester, Greater Manchester

what smell like Bisto and goes choo, choo

Philip Marks, Hadleigh, UK

Please dont make the mistake of thinking MP's care about what you or I think of them.

They are in it for one reason, and one reason alone, to line their own pockets (well, two reasons, they are power crazy too!).

Arthur, Newcastle,

When you have a 60k salary, you don't deserve anything else. They are supposed to serve their country not become super rich in the process. At best, pay their travel expenses(when justified) and normal pension, but nothing for this free 2nd home nonsense. They can afford to pay rent for God's sake!!

Tom, London,

Like many others I am subject to strict rules from HM Revenue and Customs relating to what I can claim on expenses, I don't remember a new kitchen being there... No wonder we're in such debt, cutting MP's expense payments might go some way to helping our country out of debt...

Liz, Plymouht,

Sign the petition on the number 10 website, if enough people sign it then it has to be taken notice of by the government :

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/MPrenumeration/

Enough is enough, we can't stand by and watch them line their own pockets without making our voices heard.

David Kennett, Bath, England

This is just further evidence demonstrating how Parliament has lost touch with the population. My own business is hammered by tax where every expense has to be clearly justified. Are we reverting back to some form of monarchy where MPs are on the Civil List...

chris turner, ideford, devon

This is getting ridiculous. The government should go and buy a bunch of 2/3 bedroom flats in London and say that these go with the job of an MP. From there on in, MPs are not allowed to claim house expenses. This way, the capital value of any asset is retained by the tax payer.

Sanjay Mazumder, Palmers Green, London, UK

Oh - MPs are a kind of teacher. Now I get it. And we must be a kind of children. That explains a lot, like why we have to smoke behind the bike sheds.

_Felix, Nottingham,

This is scandalous- the Tax office makes sure normal people cannot have any business expenses that are unjustified, even if you have to live in one place and work in another. Yet now that the spotlight is on MP's they want to change the rules. They should conform to the rules we do, no exception.

Phil A, Headley, Hampshire

Bring back Guy Fawkes

David Gent, Choppington, Nprthumberland

I seems to me that MPs are overvaluing their importance in complaining that they are getting paid £10,000 less than a Head Teacher and £40,000 less than "equivalent roles in the private sector" - whatever that might mean. Most of them would never reach such positions outside politics.

Chris Head, Tenterden, UK

People keep whining about MPs, but they still vote them back into office. Why not vote tactically to get out incumbents until we get a Parliament that really represents us, that listens and acts on what they hear? But, it seems people stay loyal to their parties, even when the party betrays them!

Dick, Durham, UK

Lower the wage to the minimum hourly rate, no expenses allowed, and make them pay back every scrap of money that they have taken over the minimum wage since they started the job.

Edward, Leyland,

I wonder what would happen if no one voted in the next general election?
When a person applies for/ is given benefits it comes with a statement that this amount is the sum the government has decided is what a person needs to live on. If thats the case... why arent we on the same level of income

jaki, Long Sutton, UK

MPs have joined the ranks of second-hand car salesmen & estate agents in generating public contempt.

But theirs is self-inflicted.

Ron Hughes, Harlow,

Many have suggested the army barracks option. Quite agree.
They're civil servants.

I have also said for many years that these summit meetings they have at Davos etc. should be held on military bases, never in the civilian world where the security costs and disruption to citizens are insulting.

Michael Martin-Morgan, Rosal, Spain

The Westminster trough in all its glory! They vote on their own pay rises... I wonder if it will get through parliament...

Graeme, Edinburgh,

Headteachers do a good and valuable job the same cannot be said of MP's, New Labour MP's will have the chance to find out what they are really worth after the next election.

A Seymour, Peterborough, UK

Frankly most of our MPs are not fit to hold the positions anyway. They tell lies are deceitful and dishonourable, incompetent and that is just their good points.
Politics attracts this sort of person as is well proven and open to scrutiny.
It is time for a major rebellion against these rogues.

Dek Crossingham, Birmingham, England

Put them all up in a budget hotel, it will be cheaper and easier to police.

steve tea, manchester, cheshire

Time for another General Strike to express the sheer scale of public anger

Tim, Birmingham,

Perhaps MPs visiting london could bunk in vacant army barracks and their £23000 could be put towards providing care and rehabilitation for wounded soldiers. Although I expect that they would find some of this accomodation below their own standards! They seem increasingly out of touch with reality.

Ali, London,

Fine let them have there pay rise ect ,but only after we have seen the number of MP's at Westminister reduced to 400 or less. With Scottish Parliment, Welsh Assemble ect we no longer need so many MP's at Westminister.

Dave, Mold, Flintshire

i make my own bread, grow my own veg, i am not a greenie or odd(though my friends may disagree), i hate waste, this govt has now passed it's use by date. I would suggest we all register as potentail mp's to avoid tax. stuff them with their own rules!, if hrmc/irs come calling point them to nr 10

alan, london,

According to National Rail Enquiries a train from Brentford to London Waterloo ( just accross Westminster Bridge) only takes 33 minutes and a monthly season ticket is £89.90 !
In 2006/07 Mrs Anne Keen MP claimed £18,701 in tax free expenses for staying away from home on Parliamentary business !

Peter Hooper, Windsor., UK

These greedy politicians need to find some way of financing their obscene salaries and this comes from the already overburdened taxpayer. I can remember how sickened I felt when Gordon Brown announced that the minimum wage was going up by more than inflation. These people have absolutely no idea!!

Nancy, Reading, UK

The Inland Revenue publish a pamphlet IR490 which states what our expense allowances can be. This should apply to MPs as well.
Frankly, they are defending the indefensible. Move parliament to Milton Keynes and build a block of 700 1 bed flats there, with appropriate office and dining facilities.

Dave, Slough,

Why should we pay for MPs to have two homes? If they were employed by the private sector this is something that they would have to fund for themselves. Why do they need two homes? Cant they use Web conferencing or even video conferencing? They expect us to reduce carbon footprints. Why don't they!

Olly, Camborne , UK

If you pay peanuts, yuo get monkeys. I suggest putting up the salary by 4/5 times, and attracting the best talent form the private sector to stand.

(althought the no reciept business is pure monkey business!)

Jonathan, Tel Aviv,

And MPs wonder why next to banks they are generally disliked and distrusted. I wonder why? Could the common factor be greed by any chance?

Chris, Aberdeen, UK

My son is thinking of studying to become an MP now but no university considers the subject worthy of a tertiary education course.

John, Peterborough, UK

"MPs are there to represent the people " Antony, Axbridge. When I made this point to my own MP I was told, somewhat petulantly, that he didn't need me to tell him his job!
Doesn't need me to help him to decide which of the options to support, either - they all look better than I'm offered!!

C.B.Ross, Motherwell,, Lanarkshire

And

"Taxpayers are spending £118 million per year sending the children of civil servants to private schools, according to official figures." Telegraph

W Smith, Manchester,

MPs represent extremely poor value for money. They rarely represent their constituents. For the most part their role is simply to follow the party whip and vote for Government bills. They are nothing more than automatons.

I suggest replacing them with moneys and saving the tax payer 50M per year.

A Harris, Ketteing, UK

All this shifting to hide earnings and expenses is naturally seen as "shifty" behaviour, especially in "public" servants.

Should people with such an obvious lack of integrity be allowed to vote on their own pay rises, let alone run the Country?

Something smells very BAD indeed !

Sam Redman, London, UK

The electorate are concerned about oil prices, food prices, credit crunch, house price falls, knife crime, climate change, education and health. Hard to keep us happy. All the MPs want for Christmas is £23,000.

Diana, Derby, UK

Not content with voting themselves an increase in pension accrual to 1/40ths a few years back when private schemes were folding they now want maximum expense allowances whether they use them or not.

Gordon - you say you want to listen to the people, lets have a referendum on this one!

Mike, Dunstable, UK

What, pray, is the equivalent to an MP in the private sector. Where on earth is the job that pays over 60 grand plus as much again in fiddles with full salary pension and three months vacation every year - and anything remotely resembling ability or honesty being entirely optional?

David Masu, Zürich,

I have always said that ther are too many politicians and hangers-on. The vast majority contribute nothing except party line voting numbers. Cut there numbers at least in half. Do not accept any without relevant educational credentials. A lot of them cannot string two words together. Sack them!

Peter b, Kirkcaldy, Scotland

In what way is this proposal a "demand" as in your headline ?

Morag, Bristol, Bristol

Nearly 150 MPs claim less than £23,000, so the others are overcharging. Is there a shortage of candidates for MP posts? So cut salary and expenses until some of them are doing it for principle not profits.

Diana, Derby, UK

Forget prenuptial agreements, get preselection agreements.

Diana, Derby, UK

This outrageous that MPs give themselves ineffect £28000 personal allowance whilst the rest of the working population gets less than £6000. Just typical the government taxes the majority to fund those in power. I really have to find out how to get on this gravy train and ride it myself

Ethan, London,

Caroline Swan - the petitions are on -
http://search.petitions.pm.gov.uk/kbroker/number10/petitions/search.lsim?ha=1157&sc=number10&qt=mp%27s+salaries

Tom Paul, and others, are right; everyone sign a petition!

It'd be interesting for the Times to monitor these to delivery and response!

Terry, Bagneres, France

Kill two birds with one stone. Provide homes in London for MPs who need them, and have them maintained by the same people that maintain army homes. That way we avoid the expenses problem, and I bet the maintenance of army homes will improve.

Jamie, Gtr Manchester, UK

John, Liverpool, MP.

Afraid to put your name down for those not aware of Liverpool MPs. I bet that there are 1000s from Liverpool who could do your job at half the cost. Let's face it - verbal diarrhoea is the main attribute of MPs. You only have to watch the experts - Ministers on TV

M. Cawdery, Portadown, Co. UK, EU

The job of a Head Teacher cannot be compared with the role of a MP. The responsibility of a MP is just to push paper about, sleep in meetings and nothing gets done. I would compare them to semi-professional in which a salary of £35000 is justified. Inflation busting pay rises is just hypocritical

Ethan, London,

This has shattered my belief that Britain had a fairly small corrupt political class.

From the Speaker down many of our MP's have been snaffling up the cash.

It is disgusting and for a start the Speaker should resign.

Simon, HAROGATE, UK

The Under Belly of British politics stinks like the filth of any of the worst Bananna republics to date. We need people to stand against this as independents they most certainly would get in . We must start to fight these political jokers. They are all the same and we need change.

Mark, Gateshead, UK

£23000? That's about the same as my total salary. And as for it not being the same as a head teacher's salary, well, at least MP's don't have OFSTED breathing down their necks every second. Hmmm, an OFSTED for MP's - now theres an idea!

Nigel, Newtownards, Northern Ireland

Is it really too much to ask that our MPs are subjected to the same tax laws that the rest of us are? The list of extra tax benefits they enjoy is quite long and includes things such as better mileage allowances for car travel and a higher pension fund limits. Pigs and legs come to mind.

John, London, UK

How many MPs are there? 650 odd? Well 23K x 650 equals a hefty sum of 15 million quid. Surely they could build an apartment hotel for their use within easy reach of Parliament that stays property of the taxpayer instead of giving these clowns a free second home?

Garley, London, UK

I thought public service was about serving the public, not lining your own pockets at public expense. Instead of giving allowances for second homes, why not build an accommodation block so they can stay there and not incur the extr expense of a sexond home in the first place?

Ron, Milton Keynes, Bucks

I believe that MPs should have the right to set whatever pay level they believe is appropriate providing that the total costs to the UK of their pay and expenses are capped at 1% less than the cost of living index. More pay, expenses and allowances - fewer seats!

John Diffenthal, Sandhurst, Berkshire, UK

Labour MP's will vote this through. What happens to those homes when they are no longer MP's? They have little time left to keep their snouts in the trough and get their free houses. The chance for Conservatives and Liberals to prove to the electorate they are against this public-funded sleaze!

Lou, London, UK

At the next general election candidates should include a detailed illustration of what salary and expenses they would be willing to do the job for. If competitive tendering is good enough for the rest of us, it is good enough for MPs. Let each local electorate decide what THEIR MP is worth to them.

Clive, Chichester, UK

Given that 60% of the working age population earn less than £16,000 a year, this amount for 'fripperies' is disgusting. Put them up in barracks and make them eat army food. It would show who is dedicated to the service of our country and who is in it for the money. Mostly the latter I suspect.

judy, Liverpool, England

to those who say the average wage is 23,700 this is the ONS figure for the MEDIAN wage. The actual MEAN average will be a lot lower, I would guess ~14 - 15k though can't find official figures to back that up.

It does put the 23k grant into perspective though...

malcolm, London,

I have a thought.Why dont people start to vote for people who are local and and are independant as MPs? At least you would know where they stood and they knew where YOU as a local stood too .None of this party line towing and whips.
I quite liked that Martin Bell. Should be more people in his mould

Parveaz Anwar , Dundee, Scotland

99% of the private employees have to account for every penny. I assume that it's these people they represent! The MP's are in a privilaged position. It might be different if we, the consumer, could get rid of those we don't want in an instant, but we can't. No contest.

Buster, Birmingham,

Marianne, London

"Senior MPs on the House of Commons Commission have recommended a salary rise from £61,820 now to about £75,000 after the next general election, expected in 2010. "

They are asking for more money and a way to hide their expenses.

Yorkie, Amsterdam,

Surely it would be best to have a block of single apartments belonging to the country that MP's are allocated for their use. When they leave The Commons the flat passes to their successor. Security could be in far fewer locations. If they prefer to make their own arrangements so be it, they pay.

Baldwin, Rochford, England

Replace MPs with Poles!!! The Polish would work harder and do a much better job AND they would cost less! What's good for the goose (us) is good for the gander (them).

Miss Dee, Tayside, UK

Most of the MPs are just a bunch of parasites - they should be 'plucked-free' from the Uk, put on a desert island , and treated as criminals - for that is what most of them are ! There are treading a fine line, between a peoples' 'containment' and a peoples' 'revolution'.

Hugh, Buckfastleigh, England

Why dont they build an accommodation center for MPs like they do for the armed services (called Barracks) who have to work in London and elsewhere? They can then charge for accommodation as well. Better still, instead of building new accommodation for the MPs, let them live in barracks?

Paul Liu, Northallerton, United Kingdom

Can the government not buy second homes/flat/apartment, within say a 30 mile radius of parliament for them and they move in and out as they are elected..?

dachaidh, rhu, scotland

I really do want to know what MY money is spent on - NO wriggling NO cover up solutions NO comparison excuses NO special pleading ONLY complete transparency will do.
Our MPs should beware I hear the tumbrils rumbling in the distance!

Jim, Prudhoe, England

MPs should only earn the average salary of a working person as did Dave Nellist, Terry Fields and Pat Wall did in the 1980s. MPs should be subject to recall if the MP is not working for the interest of constituents. Other people have to work years for the sums they receive. A pathetic situation!

Paul , Chesterfield, UK

I despair! Fancy them comparing themselves to senior civil servants and head teachers most of whom have read to Masters and Doctoral level. Pray tell, how many MPs have similar qualifications?! And as to the sum proposed for the annual block grant, this confirms that MPs are out of touch. Fools.

Annie, Cambridge, UK

The shameless greed of these politicians is staggering. Public money should not be used to support the personal expenses of MPs, even if they are incurred in between their daily duties. The PM should reject this proposal and reject their pay rise claim as well!

Sandeep, Bath,

The UK average salary is £29,999. Perhaps people should do some research into what mp's do and how many hours a week they work, instead of believing everything they read in the tabloids. Why should what mp's earn be linked to the average salary anyway? Should everyone only earn the average salary?

Ken, Cheltenham, UK

Ha, i do find this very funny. And you call what we live in a democracy? what democracy is this? The only bit of power people have is the right to vote every 5 years. thus meaning if the government is poor, they cannot be kicked out. hardly democratic you'll find.

Sunny Patel, Coventry,

Disgusting..we are all mugs.Since when was being a self important windbag with no qualifications deemd a proper job?.
They should try and survive in the private sector,they would be eaten alive.

Alan, Glasgow,

Don't vote it just encourages them.....

David Wilson, Glasgow, Scotland

The German Parliament has just hurriedly withdrawn proposals for a massive pay rise, after voters made it clear what the consequences would be. Have British MPs not also just been shown the writing on the wall. Have they no sense at all?

Rosemary, Germany,

This is supposed to be public service, not a chance to line your pockets.Head teachers get paid more because they are trained to a high standard and are qualified.If MP's want to be paid like H. teachers they should become a H. teacher instead of swanning about the commons and bars of Central London

Warren, Southport, Merseyside

You can all contact your M.P. by e-mail at
http://www.parliament.uk/directories/hciolists/alms.cfm

Just e-mail them and tell them that if they vote for this increase you won't vote for them at the next election.

(It might make some difference!)

Ray Mitcham, Southport., U.K.

Why doesn't the Government buy a suitable house in each constituancy. When an MP is elected they get to move into it. If they lose their seat they move out. No hefty 'maintenance' expenses. No MP's profiting from house price rises.

I'm sure this would focus their minds against losing their seats.

Nick Dawkins, Swindon,

Not much prudence exercised by this lot.

David Bridge, Southport, U.K.

Re-iterating Caroline Swan's point; what can we do about this? This isn't something that can be communicated through voting as it reflects all parties and MPs as a whole. Government has become a lethiathon that is no longer controlled by the people it's supposed to serve.

James Pilling, Nottingham, England

Caroline

Yes there is - write to:

1) your MP

2) Gordon Brown

3) David Cameron

4) Nick Clegg

expressing your disgust at MP's free and easy attitude to our money. It is actually pretty difficult for them to ignore constituent's letters - send their replies to the Times for info.

Peter, London,

If MPs hide their expense details from their bosses (the electorate) they should be summarily dismissed like any other employee. Years ago you MPs voted for state-funded education, so don't blame us for our ability to read the truth about you and stop trying to hide from us.

KR, Stockport,

MP's do not like being held accountable. So much arrogrance from a group of people who are supposed to be serving the people. The political system needs a big overhaul. Yes they should account publically for their expenditure. We all know that abuse is done in secret, and that is what has happen

Terry Amos, Leicester,

100% attendance=10% expenses... would work i am sick of these dudley do-rights..

alan, london,

The answer is to leave blank or spoil our ballot paper at the next election and by doing so denying them any representativity. It's the only way we can make them really feel "our pain".

a. cambra, birmingham, uk

I echo what Caroline Swan asked: Is there any way for us to officially protest this to show MPs how angry their voters are?

Tim, Birmingham,

So MP's say ".. is unfair that they are paid £10,000 less than head teachers and £40,000 less than equivalent roles in the private sector"

What they should realise is that most of those people actually work for a living & contribute something useful. Not something one can say about the average MP!!

keith ryder, swansea, wales

Not only do they think that they are above the law, but they want a rise well above the level of inflation. Take their salaries out of the money that footballers get paid which might even things up a little. 60 grand at 3% is £1800. Good increase I would say

Robbie McAndrew, marford, Wrexham

Sorry, but why should MPs compare themselves to headteachers, to be a headteacher requires a degree whereas being an MP requires no qualifications whatsoever. Really if they are going to compare themselves to anyone then a social worker is more apt, certainly not managerial classes.

Stephen, St. Ives, England

Interesting to note that it is not long since Parliament abolished the offence of "Conspiracy to Defraud" - thus leaving these career-thieves free to collaborate on the means to collectively protect themselves. Let us hope that some at least of the more outrageous examples (such as "Mr & Mrs Expenses") are dumped back where they belong by their electors ASAP.

Sean, Coventry, UK

What value for money does the average, rational voter (that excludes those who would never consider switching allegiance, whatever their party did) get from MPs? No representation of majority views, and currently, a bunch of control freaks at the helm.

No value for money - that's how much.

W Smith, Manchester,

To Clive,Cambridge
All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell –“Animal farm “writer

s leung, melrose, scotland

60 Grand a year! Well that's 46 grand more than me!!!

23 Grand for a SECOND house!!! 2 thousand a month? I cant even rent a house for that price in my town!

40p per mile, I work for NHS and we get 10p per mile.

Hiding Expenses! They should be sacked for that attitude!!!!!

Andy T, North East, England,

Notice that not one contributor has supported the MPs' .

Serviced flats FOC for MPs with constituencies more than 90 mins. from Westminster, one secretary each, and reasonable travel reimbursed against receipts. End of. Don't like? Don't stand.

And a minimum Commons attendance requirement.

Tom Paul, Harrogate, England

In this hi-tech, Eco nonsense age why not have satellite parliaments around the country connected via conference video.

This will cut there carbon foot print, stop the need for us paying their houses and will make them have to commute like the rest of us to work so they know how expensive it is.

Dan, London, England

A rise of c£15k, plus the inclusion of £25k 'expenses' as 'bunce'! You have to admire their pure 'brass neck'; or do you? My problem is, I see no indication that the opposition MPs disagree with all this. Who to vote for, to replace the present lot or why, when they are all porcinely alike ?

S. Barraclough, Huddersfield, w

MPs should be obliged to operate as limited companies, receiving an annual fee for their 'services' from the Exchequer. They should be required to operate and file annual accounts as required by HM Revenue & Customs.

pete seddon, guidel, france

These self serving parasites should be behind bars what they have done is nothing less than stealing from the taxpayer. They have now been found out and want us to pay them an extra £23,000 tax free to fund their lavish lifestyles while the rest of us struggle with massive rises in fuel, food & tax

Colin , Leeds, UK

Is there any way for us to officially protest at this before the vote?

Caroline Swan, Glasgow, UK

MPs are there to represent the people not profit at our expense. Enough of this arrogance! Under no circumstances should they be entitled to such an allowance. They should be accountable like all managers and executives in companies, and this must be driven from the top down starting with the PM.

anthony strange, axbridge, uk

The impertinence of these greedy crooks is astounding yet again. Shameless two fingers to the public, because they know the public has a short memory and will turn out like sheep to vote next time around. " It's a sweet racket if you can keep the boys in line." Al Capone.

Q.McCutcheon, Aberdeen, UK

As an expense payment, this of course will be tax free. So assuming they all steal... sorry, earn above the 40% tax bracket from us already, it will effectively be a near on 40K pay rise. Not bad for a bunch of workshy mediocrities.

Garley, London, UK

Fraud Fraud Fraud. 23'000 times. If my own company gave me a grant that I didn't have to provide receipts. The Tax man would cry Fraud and I would possibly be held at Her Majesty's Pleasure. This country is starting to be run like a Bananna republic. I wonder if the State also does the drugs.

Mark, Gateshead, UK

Greedy pigs the lot of them.

david hambly, St Albans/ Hull, Uk

The more I read about our MPs, the less I respect them. What a bunch of crooks!

David, Poole,

When junior doctors are getting a 20% pay cut as from August and will earn less than a newly qualified nurse. These MPs are a disgrace.

David, London,

They ask for the same pay scale as a similar type job in the private sector, that they are in the most part inferior to people in the private sector and would be unable to hold down any type of responsible position, is unimportant to them,(however it is to me) the recent deputy leader of the Labour

Michael Rudd, Barking, UK

To avoid the embarrassment of having their expenses aired in public, they have awarded themselves an obscenely large and embarrassing tax free allowance which they can spend without scrutiny.
This amply demonstrates the arrogant, but feeble and self serving logic of those in power.

andy luton, Bristol, England

One rule for one and one for everybody else!

The greed of these people make me sick.

mark, Leeds,

It is absolutely sickening, When you add in the gravy that is being mopped up in the EU where the accounts are not signed off year after year, you realise how we, the electorate, are being ripped off The Public Accounts Committee should be made to clean out the Augean stables and put in the stocks

Dr J Findlater, Carnforth,

Why are not MP's second homes owned by the Crown? Such a practice works for Servicemen and, through the a different source, the clergy. Security would be easier as anyone can find an MP's address. Reasonable repairs and updates would be similarily funded. Yes, a higher salary. But no sleeze please

stuart, worcester, uk

MPs say they have done nothing wrong as their claimed expenses are within the rules, conveniently forgetting they made the rules in the first place. An obvious abuse of power which if applied by the rest of us would quickly bankrupt the country.

Simon Marshland, Bath, UK

If you are dissatisfied with the renumeration as an MP get yourself another job.
Shame on you simpel "skimmers". This is socialis/communism to be witnessed by everybody, a disgrace for a proud nation.

S af Ugglas, NYHAMNSLAGE, Sweden

MPs serving their constituents begin to ring very hollow now we know they are looking after their own pockets! They take such liberties at the taxpayers' expense.

I wished when I was young, my parents and teacher encouraged me to become an MP. What a bonanza with tax free expenses!

V Tan, London,

Many people would describe what our MPs are doing as Theft and not only our MPs, also our MEPs. This country under Labour is no better than any of the most corrupt third world countries, every grasping hand that can reach it, deep in the pot.

helen, Norwich,

Don't take these recommendations seriously. They are a wind up. Leeches/second car sharks (oops sorry MPs) should receive a significant pay cut.

kris, dartford,

All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others. MPs use our money to buy its taste and social life but be deaf on our voicePower trends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.All politician must know it but they still obsess on power enjoment that was authorized by us

s leung, melrose, scotland

What is that statement? "All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others".

Simply Outrageous!

Clive, Cambridge,

A salary of £61,820 does not attract our best brains.It's a fact that most of our MP's wouldn't get on the short list for a job as C.E. of a medium sized company,yet we allow these 3rd raters to run the country and moan because they make a mess of it.Fewer MP's with larger salaries might help.

Mike, Dunstable, England

Contrast the British state pension (among the very lowest in Europe) with the huge salaries, income, perks, and pensions granted to MPs by themselves, the very people who could change things - but absolutely refuse to.

B Redfern, Krsko, Slovenia

The MPs pension is 1/40th of their salary per year of service. So someone who is an MP for 10 years would get a pension of £15000 a year. Someone who served for 20 years would get £30000 a year pension.

Donald, Maidstone,

Ok, but only for MPs who's constituencies are outside a 100 mile radius of Westminster. If they need to wait late for a vote, stay in a hotel like everyone else! Also, the number of MPs should be reduced to pay for it - preferably labour MPs.

MPs are milking the hard working taxpayer.

mike lincoln, wakefield,

Why are so many people hostile towards MPs? I believe I do a good job for my constituents and I try very hard not to rip the taxpayer off but I have a right to stick my nose in the trough like all other MPs. The fact is this country gets its MPs on the cheap so I feel entitled to a few fiddles.

John, Liverpool,

Porkers fattening at the trough. A look at the register of members' interests will illustrate just how public spirited our elected servants deem themselves to be.

Perhaps they will offer our police officers, nurses and teachers second jobs, houses, sponsorships and directorships?

Mike L, Chippenham, Wilts

They still just don't get it do they. For an MP who has to and I mean has to spend a night in London this should be paid for. How? Let them do what every business man or woman has to do, stay in a hotel, get the receipt and claim, making sure they are booked by a secretary at competitive rates.

maxwell patterson, redditch, worcs

It's funny that we try and tell the rest of the world to embrace democracy, when at home we've one of the most corrupt political setup's there ever was.

Arthur, Newcastle,

I'm no royalist, but I'm beginning to wonder if having a functioning (not for show) monarchy is a preferable alternative to this lot - and that includes tories, liberals and whatever other political affiliation these parasites claim!

Derrick, MK, UK

Do they get taxed on these perks? Somehow I doubt it... yet I would get taxed... actually, it would never be allowed because my business would be audited.

Chantel, Wales,

Give e'm £40,000 a year basic then up-to another £20,000 which is performance related; if they can't live on that they arn't fit to do the job!

Martin, Poole, UK

There is no shortage of people wanting to do the job, so the salary is not an issue. Unless, of course, all of the prospective MPs look at the expenses and think 'goody, free 2nd home, free furniture, pay the wife/kids'. If they don't like it they can always resign!

David Leslie, Perth, Scotland

There is only one solution to end this cosy little money machine.
ALL responsibility for the pay and expenses should be managed by a remote body under the wing of maybe the Bank of England or the Church of England and administed by people who are above corruption or threat.

Graham Miller, Valencia, Spain

I wouldn't begrudge them teh grant, BUT ONLY if they worked 48 weeks a year in the House of Commons to get Bills and Laws passed in a very reasonable timeframe. In my position, I am expected to perform at a high level for my compensation. That should aplly to these camaera hungry individuals.....

Mike McKay, Bangkok, Thailand

Thats where the money is going. I would love a new fitted kitchen for my home, but can't afford it at present, as a result of the spiralling tax burden placed on working families in the UK. So Browns curb on second home ownership excludes MP's. How often are these second homes required, Hotels?

Peter, Luton,

Let's hope they'll decide on industrial action if they don't get the extra money and so improve efficiency. Comparison with schools heads is ludicrous when you realise the scale of responsiblity and public accountablity involved in managing the schooling of up 1000 children. Let them eat cake!

Ray Cobbett, Emsworth, Hants, UK

This rush to enlarge the size of the trough comes whilst increased taxation, in every direction, afflicts the general populace.

We need our MPs to be aware of our distress and anger. Let us all email our local MP straight away.

Victor, NW Kent, Swanley, Kent

These greedy MP's make me angry
They are not doing us a public service they are just milking the taxpayer of their hard earned cash.
How many of us would like our mortgages and Council Tax paid by the taxpayer?
We are struggling to keep one home never mind two.

Stephen Holmes, Withington, UK

There is a strong arguement that MPs [where the job is full time] are under paid and I fully support the £14,000 proposed pay rise. In exchange for the abolishment of 2nd home allowance. Basic math - £14000 vs £26,000 which is the more economical

choy, london, uk

14 comments so far, all saying the same thing. Will any MPs read them? Will any of them have the balls to reply? Will they understand why the public feels the way they do?
No. Isolated from the real world, over-inflated sense of their worth. Grrr!

John Adams, Péault, France

I'm appalled! We ordinary mortals on much lower salaries have to show receipts for every item of expenses no matter how small. Why should MP's be any different? I agree with Thomas Irvine - MP's should be ashamed of their actions.

Helen Wilkes, Worcester, UK

These contemptuous people are really showing their colours now.

Mark, Yorkshire,

well if mps are not happy with their pay why don't they leave their cushy jobs?
how long are going to pay for their luxury life style ?it is sickening to see that parliament has become an alladin's cave for our corrupt and greedy politicians.
if not happy please leave.do not suffer!!!!!!!!
get it ??

ebbi britt, valencia, spain

Enough, these people are no better than the corrupt politicians in the third world. I will not vote for any of them in the future, it's a waste of time as they are all the same.
If they don't like the current salary and conditions, let them "get on their bikes" like the rest of us have to do.

Ray Harvey, Hitchin, uk

I'm 71 yoa.. What duplicity! Sack 50%of "greedy" "jobless" "unaccountable" Politicians seeking £23.000 for 2nd homes, showing total indifference to us struggle by on less than 50% to run/maintain our Only home, feed ourselves, many pay to/from work, not able to afford a proper Pension only NHI

Stan The Man, Scunthorpe, England...UK

Other public servants will have to accept a 2% rise or at least an increase in salary below inflation - but MP's, because they don't like the sort of scrutiny that most other people have on expenses want to vote THEMSELVES a 33% in salary so they don't have to put up with this ? Respect ? No !

Tony, Cardiff,

Since we, the taxpayers pay for them, is it not more appropriate that we have the final say in what they are paid?

Carole, Gramat, France

What happened to the public service ethos? I suppose it got lost in a world which values only money. We have to change a heck of a lot. This rot is more than party politics.

Carol, London, UK

I will do any MP's job -any constituancy, anywhere in the country- for £10,000 a year less than the current incumbent.

bill hodgson, chelmsford, Engalnd

The MPs are already grossly overpaid for what they actually do. Their current pay is nearly THREE times the average wage - they want to increase it to FOUR times. Why? to avoid the tax payer (their employers) seeing the details. I wonder how many employers would agree to such a scheme?

M. Cawdery, Portadown, Co. UK, EU.

I once asked for a rise on my meagre salary as a secretary and I was told it was market forces that controlled the level of my wages. Anybody picked from the street could do my job. In view of the fact there is no shortage at all of aspiring MP's why does this rule not apply to them also?

E. Greenacre, Grimsby, England

How are MP's salaries so low relative to the size of their houses?
£60,000 a year would not buy a two bedroom flat anywhere within commuting distance of Westminster, or a house in their constituency ,or their private home. Of course throw in the odd non executive directorship and you're there.

Adrian, London,

So this is why no political party will raise pensions. Women who spend their life looking after their husband and children now get £258 per month government pension. They spend tax payers money on what they think fit, not on the people who paid their taxes on THEIR EARNINGS, SAVINGS AND PURCHASES

L Moran, Worthing, England

It is really simple. If you want to have monkeys as MPs, pay them peanuts. I live in Singapore and the MPs here are paid as are well as the best in industry and the result is that it attracts talented, dedicated people to parliament and they deliver world class services. This country runs very well.

Tom Porter, Singapore, Singapore

In 2002 Windsor's ex-MP, The Honourable Michael Trend, was forced to repay £90,277 of ACA that he had improperly claimed for the purchase of his only property.
Under this proposal he would have done no wrong, as every MP would be entitled to £23,000 tax free to purchase their only home.

Peter Hooper, Windsor., UK

They are nothing more than a load of pigs with their snouts stuck so far into the trough that they can’t see what the public actually think of them.
They know full well how much money they are making, but think that they are some sort of “Super being”, who needs more that anyone else to live, and are completely out of touch with the populace, who are getting increasingly fed up with their greed.
No doubt the final attainment for one of these pigs is to become an MEP…that would really allow them to screw the people for all they are worth.
G.M.

Graham M, Birmingham,

Perhaps it would be fair then if every home owner in London had a £23,000 tax exemption on their FIRST home? No, I thought not, one rule for them and another for the voters - just like pensions.
Animal Farm............

N Reed, Truro, UK

So they think they are underpaid by 40,000, that they could get in the private sector. DA, Why don't they try it then. If they don't like the heat in the public sector. They would have to prove they were worth that kind of salary. I for one would not hire one of them.

ann, London, England.

I am shocked that almost every comment seems to have missed the point! They are not actually asking for extra money, but for a differeny system of distributig it, which would allow them to spend less time collecting receipts and more time doing their actual job. The less paperwork, the better!

Marianne, London,

Did they they also compare their fantastic pension entitlements when they looked at the private sector - or annual leave?

Adam, lydney, Uk

There comes a point where anyone has to draw the line and this has now been reached.
What the devil makes M.P's such a special case.
They knew the terms of the job before they stood for parliament and given we are all belt tightening its about time they got a life and realised enough is enough

Robert Marshall, London,

Very few of our MPs are worth the money they are already paid. The Committee should start by reducing the number of MPs by half: most legislation now comes from the EU and we don't need 650 MPs to 'review' it.

Donna Walker, Effingham, England

I think at a time when so many people are struggling with the basics, all too often we have MPs worrying about what they can squeeze out of the people. If you ask me their expenses should all be withdrawn and that would help the public purse no end!

Barry, England,

When I worked offshore in the North Sea I was told by Inland Rev I could not claim for expenses incurred staying overnight in Aberdeen before going offshore. These MPs get a 2nd house allowance for what? No other workers do. Put them on same par.

William Joicey, Hawick, United Kingdom

Head teachers do something constructive and work a lot more hours then MPs. On top of that they don't get any expenses for their kitchens, gardens, taxis etc etc etc

Mps could apply for Headteachers jobs, if they could possibly do the job

Andy, colchester, uk

No doubt this committee is made up of MPs - why not a truly independent committee?

All allowances for second homes should be regarded as a loan and repaid on the sale of this home. MPs selling a house in London, financed by tax payers, must make a lovely profit.

General election - NOW.

R Bingham, Lauzun, France

If they actually ran this country properly and represented the views of their constituents they'd be cheap at double the price. But they are a bunch of immoral, duplicitous, self-serving cronies in the most part.

Stop complaining and do something radical at the ballot box next time round.

Greg, London, UK

do they pay tax on their salary? if not then their gross if it was in the real world would be in the region of 150k, taking into account employers NI, employee's NI and 40% tax. i hope that only labour and lib dems vote for this and that the tories wisely avoid it! 175 pd = 60+k pa

alan, london,

And what other 'profession' would pay you this kind of dosh from your first day without experience, training or qualifications? I'd like to see half these freeloaders pushed from the gravy train, and half the carriages de-coupled.

Mike , Macau, China

How else do you expect these hard-working, poor wee souls to fully enjoy their three (or is it four?) months of summer holidays without an excessive, inflation-busting pay rise? One week's vacation ain't cheap these days you know, never mind three months' worth.
Now less of your cynicism all of you

Mick, rochdale,

I agree with David Boyle. Why are MP's getting money for second homes?!! Let them stay in Hotels if they have to be in London, it will be a lot cheaper.

Stone, Enger, Germany

So, instead of being furtively greedy and self serving, they've decided to be openly greedy and self serving, and at a time when the rest of us are struggling to get by on salaries that buy less and less with every passing day.

Words fail me. Their greed is staggering

Bev, Bucks, UK

A pre-requisite for an MP seems to be an over active imagination, otherwise how will you be able to justify all that backsheesh in the future?
As an ex company director I cannot believe what these people are being allowed to get away with! £23,000 per annum is more than the average wage isn't it?

Nick, Potters Bar, Herts

Whoever is involved in the proposed change to a 'Grant', needs to be sacked, both from the job and the party.

MPs - in theory - work for the public. They become more openly corrupt each year.

Accountability might bring more people to vote.

Charlotte Peters Rock, Knutsford, England

And please always note in these discussions that 23,000 pounds is tax-free and hence equals 34,500 gross salary for joe public (assuming effective tax rate of 33%). Nice one to also give yourself a big final salary pension increase!

Richard Schreuder, Wimbledon, UK

Direct democracy is the answer. Do I need someone to represent me in political matters... No is the answer. Representative democracy is a joke, vote once in 4 years for a person who is more interested in his party line and personal enrichment than his constituents. By the people for the people.

Nelson, Basingstoke, UK

Clearly these public servants "piggies", most of whom are actually rejected by the majority of the electorate in their constituencies, but who are elected anyway by an outdated 19th century electoral system, are finding it difficult to get their snouts out of the trough of public money.

Neil, Gloucestershire, England

Wouldn't it be cost effective to provide hotel accommodation?

Mike, Gravesend, England

If they vote for this, we will know we have cheeky, thieving, lax, scrounging, dishonest politicians we always knew we did in labour kids.

Alistair Kipling, Birmingham,

Round-sum expense allowances are fully taxable and are subject to PAYE and NI deduction. As long as MPs accept this I would rather they paid themselves a round-sum allowance rather than wasting time and moral energy fiddling their expenses.

Frank Upton, Solihull,

They should get the national average wage & no more. That way they will have a vested interest in what the population earn & understand financial hardship. How can you worry about petrol prices, utility bills, council tax, house prices, ets on a £60K basic?

Andy P, Dereham, Norfolk

Should the taxman now be reviewing some of the benefits-in-kind that these MPs have been receiving via expenses, and readjust the tax they are paying?

Other taxpayers are required to declare every spot and pimple of their income - why not MPs?

Let's make the issue truly transparent.

Annie, Bath, UK

We need a concept of Public Service in our MPs. It is not 'good' to treat the position as a 'job'. Being able to represent constituents is a privelege.
If MP live in London 4 nights per week when parliament is sitting then £23,000 must be about £140/night. Surely that is far too much.

Patrick Brown, London, Europe

Another £23,000 buckshee, to spend just how they like with no questions asked? Dreadful idea. MPs should have to submit every single claim no matter how small - to a panel of voters selected from across the political party spectrum.

Ann Keith, Cambridge, uk

80% of our laws now come from Brussels. this bunch of hypocritical freeloaders should be taking a pay CUT.

Sarah, London,

Pigs to the trough?

dave kinsley, derby, uk

Yeah love it, I just received my nursing bursary award notice for this year a paltry 3% increase on last year. Given the increase in the retail price increase this is pathetic. I still get less than Margaret Beckett claimed in expenses for gardening. Makes me sick.

Mags B, Glasgow, Scotland

Pension one fortieth of final salary? Seems a bit bleak and not to the standard our grasping MP's are accustomed to even if it is tax free.
Is it not more likely to be one fortieth of final salary multiplied by the number of years served (if served is the correct term) and tax free?

Mike O' Connor, Plymouth, uk

If they're allowed to "hide" expenses in an "allowance", then the Inland Revenue should allow any job or profession to do the same. In other professions the rule of thumb is that, if you have a lump sum allowance like this, it is deemed simply a bonus to your salary and you just get taxed on it.

Neil, Derby, UK

They really have no idea of the utter contempt that the majority of the electorate holds them in. With the internet and 24/7 news coverage you can't lie and spin everything like you could with previous generations. two minutes on google and their duplicity is obvious.

mark, surbiton,

Reduce the number of MPs pay a decent salary for capable people and get rid of the snouts from the trough regime, I include MEPs in that!!

david, filey, england

The average UK wage is £23,700. How can it possibly be justified that these people who already earn more than double the average wage get an extra "wage" - tax free - to run a house? Many families run a house on this after tax.

Nicola, Newcastle,

If you don't like the salary, you don't take the job!!

Ruth Gordon, Dordogne, France

The simple answer would be to provide state owned accommodation for MPs who are based more than 1.5 hours commute from Parliament. They would be like advanced university apartments and suitable for weekday use. These would then be used by future MPs and save the country a fortune.

John, Manchester,

The Houses of Parliament is an outdated relic.

They should all be working from home (near to their constituents) using the internet, no second home, no big security target.

Far more cost effective.

Bill Bird, Wallasey, UK

I think we all know just how disgraceful this is for the many arguments that appear.

If I was an MP I would be thoroughly ashamed on my actions. Shame! So sad really :(

Thomas Irvine, London, UK

Fairly typical of MP's really; dont' want to answer the question posed, so I'll give an answer to one I do want to - don't like the system as it is because it doesnt suit ME, so I'll change it to one that does! You cant side step tax payers money quite like that and expect to get away with it.

Mark Mugliston, Framlingham, Suffolk

Nevermind all this criticism or outrage - I want to know how I can become a MP? What qualifications are needed? Can we all have a go? I suggest that everyone be given a State subsidy to stand for Parliament - I would like all these expenses.

Dr Ian Burgess, Bristol,

£23000, just to run a second home! There are many people in London who do not even earn that much, never mind get it on top of their salary! Why on earth would they get this lump sum tax free?! These second homes are not wholly and exclusively for business purposes and should be taxed accordingly.

Allister Sykes, 349 Fulham Palace Road, SW6 6TB

How dare they? They expect the poor working person to pay tax, to declare any little extra earnings paid in cash. Then they play the game for all they can get. They are corrupt scum and have no moral authority to make laws for the rest of us. Let opponents share their dodgy expenses at an election.

chris clarke, chappaqua, New York USA

When are we going to change the situation where they get to vote on what to award themselves? It's patently absurd. Why not randomly select 12 'jurors' from the general public to discuss and agree what should be fair for them. It works for sending people to jail for life - should be fair for MPs

Matt, Perth, Australia

What greedy lot of overweening parliamentarians whose profligate incompetence is exceeded only by their arrogance. They are increasingly making a case for the return to noblesse oblige among public SERVANTS.

Bob Evans, Anaheim, California

The answer is NO, NO, NO. I dont get paid an allowance for me to keep my ONLY home when I have to live and work away from work - and I dont work in the private sector. Do what I have to do - pay up or rent it out.

Richard, Plymouth,

Why on earth are they given money for second homes at all? I work around the world and when away from home have to stay in a hotel. My company has a department for arranging my travel and accomodation, so why can´t they just have their travel and accomodation in London arranged for them?

David Boyle, New Orleans, USA

They run for elected office, do not allow citizens a vote on the Lisbon Treaty and want to be treated as if they are royalty and deserve tribute. As it turns out, they are on welfare and should be prosecuted for being welfare cheats instead of Right Honorables!

Pauli, London,

Serve the people.
Remember that.
If the people are your paymasters then it is only right we know how we are paying you.
Just because the law agrees with us, doesn't mean you should move the goal posts. Anyone claiming an expense has to justify it with receipts .. You are no different.

Joe, Geelong, VIC Australia

Other profession like head teachers do not have multiple fat-cat Directorships, fee paying tv, dinner talk etc. Not to mention the fat pension, generous holidays, hardly doing anything for their constituents as I found out with one Tory fat-cat MP and there's no one to complain to!!!!

Samantha Wills, Farnborough, UK

if they think they are worth what the private sector pays then let them get a job in the private sector; i doubt any of them could.

james, doncaster, uk

I wish my boss would allow me to decide how much I get and then let me approve it!

It all goes to prove the MPs are a law unto themselves and are not accountable to the taxpayers. So much for democracy.

James Cromwell, Bath, UK

Yep Cromwell. It's not like the jobcentre marched them down and made them take the job; they chose it; it's supposed to be a vocation. If they don't like it then resign. We only need about half the ones we have anyway. However, if we can all have a £23,000 a year rise, I'd go with it.

tris, dundee, scotland

If this rise is agreed then there should be a one third reduction in the numbers of MPs...we do not need 624. This is evidenced by the very few members who attend debates (16 in the Chamber discussing our Defence for the future)

Richard Pearson, Bexley, Kent

Here’s my proposal 60 thousand a year end of story. If the job doesn’t pay enough don’t take it. I know thousands who would jump at a salary of 60 grand a year and probably do a better job than the current unqualified potato heads in Parliament. I mean how hard can being an MP be?

Cromwell, Leeds, England