MPs’ allowances  

Today – finally – the House of Commons gets round to publishing MPs' receipts; weeks overdue in my humble opinion. Yesterday, I briefed the Birmingham Post on my personal experience with the House of Commons Fees Office – the department responsible for MPs’ allowances – and its failures. Four years ago, I tried to cut my accommodation costs by buying a flat with my brother, who could put up a deposit and help me move fast to save money. After telling me – twice – that I could go ahead, when I asked for agreement in writing, the House of Commons Fees Office wrote to me flagging for the first time a new concern. I cancelled the purchase immediately – I didn’t even want the appearance of something odd or untoward. By now I’d incurred the normal costs associated with buying a property – solicitors’ fees, mortgage...