Jacqui Smith?

brazilianwax

Graham_Devon wrote: »

When it's taxpayers money, and shes claiming 20k a year, for what is essentially a house share, out of taxpayers money, I think personally it's wrong.

Thats suggesting basically that house share with her sister is costing her roughly £1700 per month in rent.

And thats me being generous, as actually, shes not there 12 months of the year.

If she was claiming for the house share in London, she would not be able to claim so much, so shes maximising, at our expense.

I'm employed by the Government - my expenses come from the same pot of money

If their expenses are like mine, it will include travel, bills etc and not just rent. £1700 per month isn't that unreasonable (based on what it costs me for a 2 bed flat in zone 2).

ad9898_3

lostinrates wrote: »

I'm not making a judgement or comment on the rights and wrongs of this situation, I'm just interested in why the court of public appeal isn't hearing this and as a consequence what the juristiction of the new court of public opinion is?

If 'The Court Of Public Opinion' was to be used, most of the cabinet would swinging in the gallows, just shows how out of touch they are.:rolleyes:

SGE1

ad9898 wrote: »

If 'The Court Of Public Opinion' was to be used, most of the cabinet would swinging in the gallows, just shows how out of touch they are.:rolleyes:

And also what a nation of cruel sick pre-historic angry mob-like animals we are, if that were the case...

chucky

brazilianwax wrote: »

TBH I'm not sure it's that big a deal. If she's entitled to claim up to (say) £25k per year because she has to live in 2 places does it matter which place she states is the second home?

it's wrong but it's not the biggest deal in the overall scheme of things.

being cynical i'd expect that she isn't the first and won't be the last MP to do this.
if anyone thinks that a Tory MP wouldn't do the same they are very deluded indeed.

WestonDave

Interesting the connect with Fred Goodwin - in both cases they are probably within the letter of the law in what they are pocketing. However in both cases they have exploited the public purse for their own personal gain in a way which is morally unjustifiable. If Goodwin gets chased for his pension back with all the force of the "court of public opinion" then Ms Smith should get it as well.

SGE1

brazilianwax wrote: »

I'm employed by the Government - my expenses come from the same pot of money

If their expenses are like mine, it will include travel, bills etc and not just rent. £1700 per month isn't that unreasonable (based on what it costs me for a 2 bed flat in zone 2).

As sweet as it is of you to try and inject some perspective in this thread, you're battling against dogmatic denial... it's like trying to get blood out of a stone.

lostinrates

WestonDave wrote: »

Interesting the connect with Fred Goodwin - in both cases they are probably within the letter of the law in what they are pocketing. However in both cases they have exploited the public purse for their own personal gain in a way which is morally unjustifiable. If Goodwin gets chased for his pension back with all the force of the "court of public opinion" then Ms Smith should get it as well.

Thank you, this is exactly my point....more clearly expressed.

kaya

Its just common old benefit fraud, nothing new, im sure they are all at it and will be for ages

Graham_Devon

WestonDave wrote: »

Interesting the connect with Fred Goodwin - in both cases they are probably within the letter of the law in what they are pocketing. However in both cases they have exploited the public purse for their own personal gain in a way which is morally unjustifiable. If Goodwin gets chased for his pension back with all the force of the "court of public opinion" then Ms Smith should get it as well.

Do we really expect this court of public opinion thing (if succesful) to actually apply to the government too?

Surely it would be against a democratic country to be able to have such a tool

Bit like the FOI Act, which doesnt seem to apply to them also!

But I'm pretty sure if they DO go down this route of court of public opinion, Jacqui won't have a leg to stand on unless they exclude themselves....again.

Graham_Devon

brazilianwax wrote: »

I'm employed by the Government - my expenses come from the same pot of money

If their expenses are like mine, it will include travel, bills etc and not just rent. £1700 per month isn't that unreasonable (based on what it costs me for a 2 bed flat in zone 2).

Her travel costs are seperate. These are JUST for her residence. Her total expenses bill will be much much larger. But these sums are just for the housing part.