The real cost of MPs standing down
As the number of MPs standing down at the next election, in the wake of the MP's expenses scandal, reaches 12 the Independent newspaper has produced an interesting article on the cost to the taxpayer. Very few people be aware that the 12 MPs who have decided to stand down at the next general election will each receive golden goodbyes worth a combined £1 million between them.
However, if Gordon Brown delays the general election until next spring these 12 MPs will between them take another £600,000 in salaries and between them leave Parliament with a pension pot of £12.5 million which equates to around £1 million each. So while many MPs have taken the moral high ground and decided to leave Parliament at the next general election it is the UK taxpayer who will continue to cover their costs, their pension contributions and their expenses between now and the next general election.
It seems that the deeper we delve into life in the UK Parliament the more weird and wonderful procedures and systems are brought to the surface. Many taxpayers cannot believe the situation has been left to evolve for over 20 years and was only brought to light by the Freedom of Information Act.
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