Expenses MPs lose battle over privileges
Elliot Morley, David Chaytor, Jim Devine and Lord Hanningfield are all set to face trial later this year in relation to their expenses claims as MPs. They lost their application today regarding a 300-year-old law which exempts MPs and Lords from prosecution with regards to parliamentary activity. However, despite the fact that their request to have the case thrown out of court was rejected today they have been given leave to appeal which will again cost UK taxpayers in excess of £100,000!
This is not the kind of headlines which David Cameron and Nick Clegg wanted to see as they had hoped that the MPs expenses saga was over. However, despite the fact they have lost their initial hearing regarding parliamentary privileges they are still appealing to escape the High Court. Quite when the actual court cases will take place remains to be seen but one thing is for sure, each day extension to the saga is adding yet more cost for the UK taxpayer as the parties involved have been given legal aid.
So far there has been no comment by David Cameron or Nick Clegg but this is an area of Parliament which they had promised to "tidy up" in the run-up to the last general election.
Share this..
Related stories
MP expenses come under more scrutiny
It has today been revealed that Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, has "inadvertently" made an expenses claim in relation to her "second home" internet charges which included a package of films. Aside from the fact that at least two of these films were allegedly of an adult nature, there is uproar across the UK today at the fact that MPs seem literally able to claim for any expense they incur!
Read More
Capital gains tax increase for higher earners
Despite the fact there had been suggestions that the UK government would increase capital gains tax, across the board, to around 50%, George Osborne has delivered a far less severe change to the capital gains tax regime. For those in the lower and middle income ranges the capital gains tax level will remain at 18% but from midnight tonight those in the higher rate tax band will pay 28%. In many...
Read MoreBeware the latest council tax scam
It has been revealed that criminal gangs are targeting UK households up and down the country in the latest scam to obtain your bank account details. A number of UK residents have been approached about their council tax, by parties claiming to be connected with the local authorities. They are either informed that they have overpaid or underpaid their council tax and are being asked to give evidence...
Read MoreHow will Gordon Brown pay back the national debt?
As many economists start to turn vaguely positive on the UK economy we may be on the verge of a recovery in business levels. While this news has, and will continue to be, well received by business leaders and the stock market, there are still severe concerns as to how Gordon Brown will pay back the national debt which is literally crippling the UK budget.
While many are awaiting the...
Can the UK government afford to give away £15 billion in tax cuts?
As rumours grow that the UK government is on the verge of announcing massive tax giveaways which could see in excess of £15 billion returned to taxpayers, there is concern that UK debt is getting out of control. The total debt of the UK government is now approaching the £600 billion level and will literally take decades to pay back.
When you consider that the era of Margaret Thatc...