MPs can not afford to cover their costs, says Margaret Beckett

What? 3x and over the national average + a lot of expenses isn't well paid?

At the end of the day its an EXTREMELY comfortable living I just don't see how people who's salary is so far above the norn can make the best decisions about the rest of the country. Some might say that they can't...

There is an argument that MPs could be paid national average + bonuses, what better incentive to do well?
 
What? 3x and over the national average + a lot of expenses isn't well paid?

There is an argument that MPs could be paid national average + bonuses, what better incentive to do well?

1) Who would decide if they are doing well?
2) what do you define as doing well?
3) no one in there right mind would go and work as an MP if they where going to make the same the women behind the till in Tesco. We dont live in a communist state!
 
We should have the benefits fraud people watching her 82yr old "assistant" to see what we're getting for our monies worth, I bet he does very little to earn his wage it's just another clever method they employ to scam the tax payer for extra income.
 
It isn't unreasonable that MPs should claim exoenses but it should not be extravagance or luxury and they should rightly be scrutinised for buying moats, duck houses and shaemlessly flipping their houses.

I still can't muster much sympathy though. As pointed out, the salary of over 60k is not huge but most MPs have business interests elsewhere and many are multi-millionaires which always makes me curious.

Why would someone who is a multi-millionaire want the added stress and scrutiny of being an MP ?

Nothing to do with the networking possibilities and business interests surely ?
 
I think you will find most companies are happy to pay £25 a day for food, my expense allowance for food is £35 a day for example.

yeah i worded that badly I support the £25 a day while they are away from hope I meant to point out the complaints from the Mp's about it.

as it's a reasonable amount that many companies pay.

My bad sorry :o
 
If David Blunkett is anything to go by, these MPs have no problem making additional money on the side, in addition to fleecing the taxpayer. The amounts are irrelevant, the principle is what matters.

One set of toffs makes excuses for another, this thread is not surprising.
 
No its not, you cant expect them to live like the working class. MP's are people who are accustomed to a way of life and if you make working conditions really bad for them they will simply go into another profession.


WHAT ! they are there to represent the people they should bloomin well understand how we live. And if you think a travel lodge is not good enough for them you are just as silly as half the fools who are mps.
 
I wonder what would happen if we got relevant people from industry into all the positions and paid them a wage equivalent to what they would get there for a similar managerial position (so a hell of a lot more for most positions especially at the top) aand let them run the country for a term or two.

Would be interesting to see what people who have proved they can run companies/large departments would make of the country.
 
WHAT ! they are there to represent the people they should bloomin well understand how we live. And if you think a travel lodge is not good enough for them you are just as silly as half the fools who are mps.

If you where a capable manager who could make 6 figures + in industry would you be a worse position (always publicly attacked) for a much lower wage?

Pay peanuts...
 
If you where a capable manager who could make 6 figures + in industry would you be a worse position (always publicly attacked) for a much lower wage?

Pay peanuts...

Exactly. Most MP's could earn a heck of a lot more money in the private sector. But they dont - they chose to be public servants instead and take considerably lower salaries as a result. This is then partially bumped up by expenses claims but I bet if you compared total earnings of an MP over 10 years versus total earnings had they remained a lawyer or suchlike the MP would be worse off.

Oh how easy is it to cry for blood whenever you think something 'isnt fair'.
 
[TW]Fox;14735858 said:
Exactly. Most MP's could earn a heck of a lot more money in the private sector. But they dont - they chose to be public servants instead and take considerably lower salaries as a result. This is then partially bumped up by expenses claims but I bet if you compared total earnings of an MP over 10 years versus total earnings had they remained a lawyer or suchlike the MP would be worse off.

Oh how easy is it to cry for blood whenever you think something 'isnt fair'.
Devils advocate here, but if these people are so epic, the pay is so crap, everyone hates you and it's a difficult job then why do it?
 
Devils advocate here, but if these people are so epic, the pay is so crap, everyone hates you and it's a difficult job then why do it?

I guess because prior to the tabloid newspapers death to the MP they claimed for a sofa campaign they were not THAT hated and the money, after expenses, wasn't THAT bad.
 
[TW]Fox;14735858 said:
Exactly. Most MP's could earn a heck of a lot more money in the private sector. But they dont - they chose to be public servants instead and take considerably lower salaries as a result. This is then partially bumped up by expenses claims but I bet if you compared total earnings of an MP over 10 years versus total earnings had they remained a lawyer or suchlike the MP would be worse off.

Oh how easy is it to cry for blood whenever you think something 'isnt fair'.

You don't become an MP for the money.
 
WHAT ! they are there to represent the people they should bloomin well understand how we live. And if you think a travel lodge is not good enough for them you are just as silly as half the fools who are mps.

have you stayed in a travellodge?

If I am working away from home it is not unreasonable to expect a room on a par with my bedroom at home, a Travelodge has a nasty thin mattress bed, a crap small TV with next to no channels and next to no amenities

ir is ok for one night at a push but that is as far as it goes
 
[TW]Fox;14735858 said:
Exactly. Most MP's could earn a heck of a lot more money in the private sector. But they dont - they chose to be public servants instead and take considerably lower salaries as a result. This is then partially bumped up by expenses claims but I bet if you compared total earnings of an MP over 10 years versus total earnings had they remained a lawyer or suchlike the MP would be worse off.

Oh how easy is it to cry for blood whenever you think something 'isnt fair'.

Correct

The whole expenses scandal was built on the back of not being able to pay a decent salary.
 
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