New AMs' expenses system in force

Lord Elis Thomas said people found it objectionable for politicians to vote for their own salaries

A new expenses system for Welsh Assembly Members has come into force, designed to prevent any future abuses.

The changes include the abolition of flat rate allowances and in future all claims will have to be backed up receipts.

AMs have not been tarnished as badly as MPs by scandals surrounding expenses and Presiding Officer Lord Elis-Thomas said they had taken a lead on changes.

The new rules are recommended by an independent panel.

Twenty eight of the 108 rule changes come into operation from Monday.

They include AMs losing the right to claim just over £30 as a flat rate allowance when they are away from home, while they will no longer be able to claim for furniture and fittings for their second homes.

The panel's recommendations offer a unique opportunity to strengthen the National Assembly's contract with the people of Wales in its role of law-making and government scrutiny Presiding Officer Lord Elis-Thomas

In future no expenses claims will be met unless they are accompanied by receipts and AMs' pay will no longer be linked to MPs' salaries.

The first phase of recommendations comes from a review of the pay and allowance system, called Getting it Right for Wales.

'Storm'

It follows a 10-month inquiry by an independent panel.

"The assembly commission's intention when it set up the independent panel in 2008 was to demonstrate to the Welsh public a commitment to transparency," said Lord Elis-Thomas.

"A commitment that was made well before the storm over MPs' expenses blew up in Westminster.

"The panel's recommendations offer a unique opportunity to strengthen the National Assembly's contract with the people of Wales in its role of law-making and government scrutiny."

Lord Elis-Thomas said the assembly had taken a lead on the issue, "distancing ourselves from the turmoil in Westminster."

He said AMs had given a "swift and supportive response".

The presiding officer told the BBC Wales Politics Show that "there is no question in my book that people should vote for their own salaries".

He added: "That is absolutely objectionable for the public. That's why we've established this independent body and I was delighted from what I've heard in Westminster that that's the way they're going."

People recognised that there were expenses with working away from home, but everything would require receipts and this was the "business-like approach", he said.