MPs face expenses crackdown says watchdog IPSA
MPs won’t be able to claim expenses for dinner, TV licenses and taxis before 11pm after May’s election, according to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA).
The bans, proposed in 2013, form part of a wider package proposed by IPSA, which includes raising salaries from £67,000 to £74,000, although this pay rise remains under review from party leaders.
In any case, IPSA said the cuts to expenses would go ahead on 8 May, coming into effect for the next parliament.
Staffing budgets will rise 1% to £147,000 for London area MPs, and £140,000 for those outside the capital, while the budget for office costs will increase 0.5% to reflect inflation.
However, accommodation budgets have been frozen.
An IPSA spokesperson said: "We will implement the rule changes agreed in December 2013, including removing hospitality claims and the late sitting food subsidy.”
“We have tightened the rules on taxis and hotels after late sittings of the House. We will no longer allow claims, under the accommodation rules, for TV licences and home contents insurance," they added.