'Maybe MPs now know how tax credit victims feel.' blog discussion

jenaimepastacopine

I'm sorry but I totally disagree, tax credits and MPs expenses are not similar whatsoever. The families that you write about make their tax credit claim entirely honestly, and as you say, even follow the golden rule of telling HMRC about "changes in circumstances". These people are acting totally morally and honestly.

MPs must have know at the time that whilst their claims were technically within the rules, they were utterly immoral. This is the whole point, and even though it is unfair to go back and retrospectively force MP's to pay back approved claims, they should have known better in the first place.

I am not surprised that some MPs don't get this. I am very surprised that Martin doesn't seem to either.

TWINKLE

This is exactly what I was thinking this morning - the government aren't long in requesting money owed to them to be paid back immediately. I had a heated discussion with a rude lady at a tax credits office not so long ago who informed me that they now didn't want me to update them of any change of circumstances until the yearly review form came out form now on - then presumably they would ask me to repay a debt to them of a considerable amount! (Remember all the money spent on ads encouraging people to ALWAYS let HMRC know about any change in circumstances?) I was so angry with her making me feel like a criminal that I pointed out to her that the government weren't in a position to talk as they were in the same boat with the MPs expenses scandal!

Mistymaid

Although some of the MP's expenses that are being claimed back could have been said at the time to be 'within the rules,' (unethical or not) a lot of these claims have been way outside of the rules - claiming for mortgages where none exists, or buying the wife a new pair of glasses, or one case I saw where an MP was paying his daughter under an assumed name.
These aren't errors of judgement or within the rules and considering the number of claims made that were clearly 'outside' of the rules, I shudder to think about the level of moral standards of people who have so much power.
I always thought it was low, but not that low.
Cringeworthy people.

zygurat789

jenaimepastacopine wrote: »

MPs must have know at the time that whilst their claims were technically within the rules, they were utterly immoral. This is the whole point, and even though it is unfair to go back and retrospectively force MP's to pay back approved claims, they should have known better in the first place.

I am not surprised that some MPs don't get this. I am very surprised that Martin doesn't seem to either.

Morality differs from one person to another. You only have to look at the "Moral Dilemma" boards on this site to see that. If it is within the rules then it is technically within the rules, it is black and white.

What I have always objected to is that the MPs made the rules in the first place, and very generous they were too, and the blatant fraud ie claiming for interest on a non-existant mortgage.

okay79

Martin Lewis for Prime Minister!

sandraroffey

when they put their claims in, they knew exactly what they were doing.

makes you wonder what has gone on before over many years, that no one has known about.

i think its called taking the p***. or theft, or fraud. the likes of us would have been arrested and charged.

tomissocial

Hello all, I see you have been talking about the MPs' expenses scandal.

I wanted to let you know about a campaign we've launched, called Open Up, to make politics more open and transparent.

In particular we are calling on the public to sign our petition for open primaries which we want in place by the next election.

The petition is at openupnow.org and we've had some pretty funny videos made by the comedy legend, John Lloyd, on our YouTube page too.

You can also join us on Twitter and Facebook.

As this is something I know a fair few people here are passionate about I thought you might like to support us!

I look forward to hearing your views, thanks for reading.

Tom

zyonchaos

You may call it taking the p155 and theft and fraud, but they were using the rules to suit their needs. At the time they were entitled legally (not morally) to claim all that they claimed.

Yes its a p155 take that they got away with it for so long, but no I dont think they should be made to retrospectively pay it all back. The rules should be tightened down to actual expenses incurred and receipts should be provided of course. The second home scam could be binned straight away. If the barrack block accomodation the British forces have to live in is so great. Give every MP a room they can use when in London, official functions can be held at Official Party HQ's or at downing street.

p.s. when I say give them barrack block accomodation I mean the sh1te we have had to put up with for years, not the so called good accomodation they are s..l..o..w..l..y.. supplying us with now.