Commuting MPs' home claims cut

MPs living outside London, but within a "reasonable" commuting distance of Westminster could lose their second homes allowance under Sir Christopher Kelly's expenses proposals.

Twenty five Inner London MPs were already barred from claiming the allowance.

From April 2010, another 54 MPs from constituencies wholly within 20 miles of Westminster will be added to the list - becoming eligible only for the London costs allowance.

KELLY REPORT

Committee on Standards in Public Life: MPs' expenses and allowances [976 KB]
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Sir Christopher Kelly's report on MPs' expenses suggests MPs from a further 12 constituencies which can be reached by both car and train within 60 minutes should also be denied the second homes claim.

"Constituencies such as Dartford and Sevenoaks are not significantly harder to reach than some outer London constituencies," he said in his report.

"A journey from Westminster to Dagenham East station, or Sevenoaks station by public transport, for example, departing Westminster at 22:30 would take approximately 45 minutes."

He does however suggest the rule would "need to be applied pragmatically" and suggests the independent regulator draw up a definitive list.

Last year, 40 MPs from the 66 constituencies identified claimed for a second home allowance, only one of the 12 MPs outside the 20 mile zone did not - Adam Afriyie, MP for Windsor.