Britannia Radio

8 June 2009 MEPs The Editor Sunday Times London Michael Pinto-Duschinsky (ST 24 May) understandably wants MEPs' expenses put under the spotlight. I hold no candle for the EU, but I must draw his attention to a few facts. MEPs have a salary, office allowance, staff allowance and political allowance, all of which are fixed. The staff allowance is paid against signed contracts. The political allowance is paid against receipts and invoices. Both these allowances are paid direct by the parliament's administration or by his political group. The MEP never sees the money. If you overspend the office allowance, tough. If you underspend you keep the difference, at least until you need it. The system of paying travel allowances based on mileage and fixed daily living expenses is commonplace amongst big companies based in Europe, and the EU has used it for years. Yes, it allowed some members to pocket the difference, but it was simple and cheap to administer. But from July travel allowances will be paid on the basis of receipts. The administration has admitted to me that the overall cost to taxpayers will go up.  More staff will be needed to check the mountains of paperwork, and all members will now have no incentive to use the most economical means of transport. They will buy fully flexible first or business class air or train tickets because there is no longer any reason not to. This change may look good to the public, but the political law of unintended consequences will ensure it costs the British taxpayer more.    The best solution is to leave! Then everybody in Britain will save £2000 a year.   Ashley Mote MEP Independent, SE England