The upcoming inquiry into MPs allowances and expenses is very welcome if it restores the public’s confidence in politicians

By John Cowan

There was a time when MPs did not receive payment or expenses and the House of Commons was made up entirely of wealthy landowners.

In the 1970s some MPs had to sleep in their offices, until the London Housing Allowance was introduced.

And there are still a number of problems with how we fund our parliamentary representatives. It amazes me, for example, that so many have a second job. There’s nothing wrong in this per se; it helps MPs keep a foot in the real world. But surely if a member is making large amounts of money from outside earnings they should have their parliamentary income reduced accordingly. Someone on Job Seekers is allowed to earn up to £20 per week before losing benefit on a pound for pound basis. Maybe it should be the same for MPs.

Working in Parliament is very hard work and not very family friendly. If more women are going to be involved in politics, the House of Commons must become more family friendly. MPs should be allowed to vote over the internet from an office at home when the House is sitting late, for example.

The Tories are proposing reducing the number of MPs – given their workload, I can not see this working well.

But if we are to attract quality MPs then they need to be paid at a level similar to professionals such as GPs and Secondary School Headmasters – around £125k per year. It would mean they would be less likely to exploit the expenses allowance, and we would, in turn, have more confidence in their integrity.