argument about why they should get the expenses

[Vixen]

I think it would be cheaper for them to just put up in London hotels all year rather than buy and furnish a whole house. The private sector companies manage this way and if anyone knows the cheapest option it'll be them.

That would probably end up just as expensive in the long run, I think it's about £100 a night for Hilton/Sheraton etc at corporate rates so you're looking at £25k a year.

I think it's such a joke that they get to claim so much when similar claims would be laughed at in the private sector. I realise that they need to stay in London at least part of the week, but if they want a high standard of living it should be at their own expense.