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Another month, another ministers expense scandal, although this time it's bigger fish in trouble. The Telegraph today released expense details of a number of cabinet ministers and lets just say it doesn't show them in the best of light. I think we all expected (and could accept) a little padding, but the size and volume of suspect claims that have come out is worrying, and so far this is just the Labour party.

Harriet Harman the deputy Labour leader has come out and said "I know this looks bad and people are angry," but also said "All claims are within the rules" which suggest to me that the rules need to change. Labour in their defense did try to reform the system recently, but had to drop the proposals to avoid losing a parliamentary vote, which is hardly surprising in the light of all this.

I actually feel sorry for HMRC in all this. We are all well aware of their opinion on expenses, something along the lines of "Only if they are necessary for your job" (and I think we can agree that the majority of these expenses fall outside that), and yet in this case their hands are effectively tied by management. They would be biting the hand that feeds them.

There is I think only one sensible way to fix this, and that's bring the rules back in line with that of the rest of the working population, allow complete transparency on ministers expenses and give HMRC free rein on them. Lead by example.

Hugo
08/05/2009