Paul Kennedy Posted May 8, 2009 Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 And here is one of the gems from the Daily Telegraph: MPs' expenses: Shaun Woodward, millionaire minister, received ?100,000 to help pay mortgage Shaun Woodward, the wealthiest member of the Cabinet, claimed almost ?100,000 to help pay the mortgage interest on a ?1.35 million flat which is one of at least seven properties he owns. By Gordon Rayner Last Updated: 12:46PM BST 08 May 2009 Mr Woodward, the Northern Ireland Secretary, was paid the maximum second homes allowance of ?23,083 in 2007-08, the most recent year for which full records are available. He spent the money on mortgage interest and council tax payments on a Thames-side flat in London where he stays when Parliament is sitting. His expenses receipts, submitted quarterly with a covering letter from his accountants, show that between January 2004 and June 2008, Mr Woodward claimed ?98,079.63 in mortgage interest payments, ?1,806.69 towards utility bills, ?3,814.98 towards his council tax and ?409.16 in phone bills. He also made one claim for ?188 under the category of repairs, insurance and security, for which he was not required to submit a receipt, in 2006. With his wife Camilla, a member of the Sainsbury?s grocery family, Mr Woodward, 50, is worth an estimated ?15 million. The couple own a large estate in Oxfordshire, a house in Oxford and a terrace house in the MP?s St Helens South constituency, as well as land in the West Indies and holiday homes in New York and France, which they rent out. Until 2007, when he became a minister, Mr Woodward also declared rental income from properties in London and Oxfordshire. Since June, 2007, he has use of the ?80 million Hillsborough Castle near the Northern Ireland assembly in Stormont, which is the Government?s most expensive grace and favour home. The fact that he claimed such a large sum towards the cost of a flat in London when he also owned other properties in the capital is likely to raise questions over whether his expenses claims represent ?value for money? for the taxpayer, as required by parliamentary rules. Although he is entitled to a ministerial salary of ?104,050, Mr Woodward claims only his MP?s salary of ?63,291, in recognition of his wealth. Mr Woodward?s claims for incidental expenses ? covering the cost of running his parliamentary and constituency office ? show some rather more modest items. One assistant claimed 38p for a Muller Crunch Corner yogurt and ?1.06 for a pizza from Asda in St Helens in November, 2004, which Mr Woodward recovered under the category of staff subsistence. Receipts from an office supplier show that Mr Woodward has regular orders for Family Circle biscuits at ?7.18 per tin; Gold Blend coffee at ?11.22 per tin; Tetley tea bags at ?3.85 for a box of 440; and Diet Coke, costing ?12.56 for each case of 24 cans. The expense claims also disclose Mr Woodward?s reading habits ? he takes The Daily Telegraph, The Times, The Guardian, The Mirror and The Sun every day, and also bills the taxpayer for his deliveries of Private Eye magazine, which costs ?1.50 per fortnight. The parliamentary Green Book states that office expenses must be incurred ?wholly, exclusively and necessarily on parliamentary duties?. It makes no mention of the provision of drinks and snacks or for buying magazines. Mr Woodward, an MP since 1997, was previously a researcher on the BBC programmes That?s Life!, Panorama and Newsnight. One of the items for which he claimed for was a second-hand copy of a book he wrote with Esther Rantzen about Ben Hardwick, who was Britain?s youngest liver transplant patient when he received a new organ in 1985, but died soon after his third birthday. A spokesman for Mr Woodward said: ?Mr Woodward?s allowance claims are published every year and they are within the rules and guidelines.? Shaun Woodward Job: Northern Ireland Secretary Salary: ?63,291 (does not draw full ministerial salary) Sample expenses claim for second home in London, Jan 1, 2007 to March 31, 2007 Mortgage interest payments: ?3,328.77 Utilities: ?1,059.67 Council tax/rates: ?997.54 Telephone and communications: ?141.52 Submitted with covering letter from his accountant, saying ?please let me know when the claim has been processed?. Fairplay to him though.....he didn't claim his Ministerial allowance. PS Bit of a shock that he shopped at ASDA PPS You can read more via the following link, you couldn't make it up! http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonzodog Posted May 8, 2009 Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 Many of the items I've read about being claimed for can't possible be wholely for business purposes so surely the tax man must be able to get at them? If it was good enough for Capone ...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Kennedy Posted May 8, 2009 Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 Now wouldn't deportation be a fitting punishment?? Would they be able to claim an overseas home allowance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazj Posted May 8, 2009 Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 Paul, What do you think Mr Mowatt would claim for if he was the next MP for Wton South? As long as he didn't break any rules, do you think he would claim the maximum for everything like all the current lot do? Just a thought. It would be interesting if any Jo crotty fans were reading too because they could say what she would do. No point asking the Labour lot though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy Posted May 8, 2009 Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 Guess if it's freely offered to you on a plate you just take it while you can Had to laugh at Gordie who is now blaming it on an inadequate 'system'... so decides the system then And I laughed even more when I read that they getting the police involved against the so called 'whilstle blower'. Is it an offence to tell the truth these days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted May 8, 2009 Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 The fact that MPs keep quoting that their expense claims were "within the rules", is of no wonder - THEY made up "the rules". Despite the utter contempt that the vast majority of people now hold these "honourable" and "noble" politicians; they are so brazen and shameless that they disclose their contempt for the electorate in their feeble excuses. They may be right of course, cos the electorate will troop into the voting booths to vote for the same Parties as they normally do; thus all those pigs in safe seats will be back round the trough next year. However, IF it were possible for the electorate to vent their anger through the ballot box; they would NOT vote for any of the main Parties; but rather for minority parties, thus ensuring that the stables were cleaned out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Kennedy Posted May 9, 2009 Report Share Posted May 9, 2009 Paul, What do you think Mr Mowatt would claim for if he was the next MP for Wton South? As long as he didn't break any rules, do you think he would claim the maximum for everything like all the current lot do? Just a thought. It would be interesting if any Jo crotty fans were reading too because they could say what she would do. No point asking the Labour lot though! I expect Mr Mowat's expenses to be modest, fully transparent and beyond reproach.....so therefore, no I do not think that he will be claiming the maximum for everything like the current lot do. On the wider subject of MP's expenses, like anybody doing a job, as indeed I used to, expenses should cover those costs that are solely incurred in performing that job, and there should be no profit for the individual. Clearly what I am reading in the papers indicates that there is a profit element and that as such it is a matter for HMRC (Inland Revenue). Indeed looking at some of what is reported I think some are no different to benefit fraud and those individuals should be prosecuted in the same way, and if convicted in addition to whatever punishment given by the Courts, they should, as any employee would be, sacked from their job i.e. in the case of an MP be expelled from Parliament. Frankly I am disgusted by some of the items being claimed as expenses, particularly so when large sections of our population are struggling to make ends meet in these very difficult economic times. I would say that those making such claims should be ashamed of themselves...but of course they have no shame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted May 9, 2009 Report Share Posted May 9, 2009 Shameless indeed Paul, they could even make a TV prog out of it - come to think of it, they did the one about Alan B'stard ! Lets cut through the c**p on this one; it's all quite simple:- 1) Pay them a salary period, out of which they pay their way like the rest of us - NO expenses at all. 2) No allowances: second homes can be provided in the form of a Gov Hostel and all office equipment and staff; can be supplied by Gov, thus requiring no financial involvement, and thus no fiddling by the MPs. 3) All current "second homes" to be forfieted and the proceeds returned to the Treasury; thus no profit making scams, when they lose an election.. 4) All future pay and conditions to be decided by an "independent" panel and pay increases linked to rises in State Pensions. SORTED! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Kennedy Posted May 9, 2009 Report Share Posted May 9, 2009 Interesting piece from The Daily Telegraph: Critics call Jacqui Smith the "Second Homes Secretary" and, although the politician insists she has broken no rules with her controversial expenses claims, the row about MPs' allowances has prompted many ordinary taxpayers to consider what can ? or cannot ? be claimed. While all the political parties are involved in debating how Westminster should put its house in order, many employees and self-employed people may unwittingly be writing off expenses against their tax bill which aren't permitted under the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) rules. As a general rule, the taxman allows you to reclaim any costs that have "wholly and exclusively" been incurred in relation to your trade. You can then deduct these expenses from your income and pay tax only on what is left. If your personal and business expenses are combined ? for example, you make calls to customers and friends and family using the same telephone ? you can only deduct the business element if it can be easily separately identified. Similarly, if you have a car for both personal and business use, you will need to keep records of your total mileage and number of miles travelled on business to calculate the correct split. The same goes for other forms of travel ? trying to claim back the cost of a two-week holiday in Italy just because you arranged one business meeting while you are there would not be acceptable. You can claim for magazines and newspapers, but only if they are purchased exclusively and necessarily for your employment, such as trade magazines, and not just because you enjoy reading them. Other expenses you can claim back include broadband use for business purposes, professional fees such as accountancy costs, book-keeping, office and printing supplies. Stationery and postage can also be deducted. The cost of meals and drinks while away from home can be counted, but only in small amounts as otherwise it starts to look like entertainment, which is not allowable. You will need to keep receipts for any business expenses that you want to claim, so keep these carefully in a file. Without them, you won't be able to get any tax back. Don't throw them away once you have filed your claim either ? you should keep these records for six years after the tax year to which they apply. Expenses that you can't claim include your own wages, premiums on personal insurance policies, income tax and National Insurance contributions. Remember, too, that if you are using one room in your home exclusively for business purposes, you might have to pay some capital gains tax (CGT) when you move house. In addition to the claims you can make above, you can also get special relief for what is known as ''capital expenditure''. This relates to one-off expenditure to buy or improve an asset you keep and use for your business. For example, if you set up as a window cleaner and need to buy a ladder, this would count as capital expenditure. Other examples include computers, machinery and the cost of buying business premises. You won't be able to get tax relief for the full cost of any asset when you buy it, but instead you will get allowances to reduce your taxable profits. There are some special rules that apply to certain professions. For example, if you are a farmer, market gardener or artist, you might be able to reduce your tax bill by claiming to average your profits over two years. This is intended to help even out fluctuating results and enables you to add together profits for two years and be taxable on half the total for each of the two years. If you have chosen to take in lodgers to bring in an income, then you can earn up to ?4,250 in any tax year and be exempt from income tax. If you earn more than ?4,250 in a year, you can either pay tax on your whole profit, minus any expenses and capital allowances, or your profit minus ?4,250. If you choose this option, however, you won't be able to deduct any expenses or capital allowances. You can get your tax reliefs and allowances by filling in your Self Assessment tax return. If you are employed rather than self-employed you may well be able to claim back certain business expenses, such as travel and accommodation costs, if you are making trips for work purposes. You should read your contract carefully to find out what you are entitled to. You will usually have to fill in a claim form and return it with receipts to your Human Resources department. Remember that claims for expenses which are not incurred are tantamount to tax fraud and could land you in serious trouble. If in any doubt about what you can and can't claim, always get advice from a qualified chartered accountant. Before you worry about the cost, the good news is you can claim back any fees they charge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
byrdy Posted May 9, 2009 Report Share Posted May 9, 2009 Why did a MALE member (a Conservative) claim for Tampax? Bad nose bleed perhaps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazj Posted May 9, 2009 Report Share Posted May 9, 2009 As this is a family forum, I won't put the reply I was thinking of.... funny as it was! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted May 9, 2009 Report Share Posted May 9, 2009 It could be that the guy had piles .......... of money! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_nana_jackson Posted May 9, 2009 Report Share Posted May 9, 2009 And here is one of the gems from the Daily Telegraph: MPs' expenses: Shaun Woodward, millionaire minister, received ?100,000 to help pay mortgage Shaun Woodward, the wealthiest member of the Cabinet, claimed almost ?100,000 to help pay the mortgage interest on a ?1.35 million flat which is one of at least seven properties he owns. By Gordon Rayner Last Updated: 12:46PM BST 08 May 2009 Mr Woodward, the Northern Ireland Secretary, was paid the maximum second homes allowance of ?23,083 in 2007-08, the most recent year for which full records are available. He spent the money on mortgage interest and council tax payments on a Thames-side flat in London where he stays when Parliament is sitting. His expenses receipts, submitted quarterly with a covering letter from his accountants, show that between January 2004 and June 2008, Mr Woodward claimed ?98,079.63 in mortgage interest payments, ?1,806.69 towards utility bills, ?3,814.98 towards his council tax and ?409.16 in phone bills. He also made one claim for ?188 under the category of repairs, insurance and security, for which he was not required to submit a receipt, in 2006. With his wife Camilla, a member of the Sainsbury?s grocery family, Mr Woodward, 50, is worth an estimated ?15 million. The couple own a large estate in Oxfordshire, a house in Oxford and a terrace house in the MP?s St Helens South constituency, as well as land in the West Indies and holiday homes in New York and France, which they rent out. Until 2007, when he became a minister, Mr Woodward also declared rental income from properties in London and Oxfordshire. Since June, 2007, he has use of the ?80 million Hillsborough Castle near the Northern Ireland assembly in Stormont, which is the Government?s most expensive grace and favour home. The fact that he claimed such a large sum towards the cost of a flat in London when he also owned other properties in the capital is likely to raise questions over whether his expenses claims represent ?value for money? for the taxpayer, as required by parliamentary rules. Although he is entitled to a ministerial salary of ?104,050, Mr Woodward claims only his MP?s salary of ?63,291, in recognition of his wealth. Mr Woodward?s claims for incidental expenses ? covering the cost of running his parliamentary and constituency office ? show some rather more modest items. One assistant claimed 38p for a Muller Crunch Corner yogurt and ?1.06 for a pizza from Asda in St Helens in November, 2004, which Mr Woodward recovered under the category of staff subsistence. Receipts from an office supplier show that Mr Woodward has regular orders for Family Circle biscuits at ?7.18 per tin; Gold Blend coffee at ?11.22 per tin; Tetley tea bags at ?3.85 for a box of 440; and Diet Coke, costing ?12.56 for each case of 24 cans. The expense claims also disclose Mr Woodward?s reading habits ? he takes The Daily Telegraph, The Times, The Guardian, The Mirror and The Sun every day, and also bills the taxpayer for his deliveries of Private Eye magazine, which costs ?1.50 per fortnight. The parliamentary Green Book states that office expenses must be incurred ?wholly, exclusively and necessarily on parliamentary duties?. It makes no mention of the provision of drinks and snacks or for buying magazines. Mr Woodward, an MP since 1997, was previously a researcher on the BBC programmes That?s Life!, Panorama and Newsnight. One of the items for which he claimed for was a second-hand copy of a book he wrote with Esther Rantzen about Ben Hardwick, who was Britain?s youngest liver transplant patient when he received a new organ in 1985, but died soon after his third birthday. A spokesman for Mr Woodward said: ?Mr Woodward?s allowance claims are published every year and they are within the rules and guidelines.? Shaun Woodward Job: Northern Ireland Secretary Salary: ?63,291 (does not draw full ministerial salary) Sample expenses claim for second home in London, Jan 1, 2007 to March 31, 2007 Mortgage interest payments: ?3,328.77 Utilities: ?1,059.67 Council tax/rates: ?997.54 Telephone and communications: ?141.52 Submitted with covering letter from his accountant, saying ?please let me know when the claim has been processed?. Fairplay to him though.....he didn't claim his Ministerial allowance. PS Bit of a shock that he shopped at ASDA PPS You can read more via the following link, you couldn't make it up! http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/ How about OUR money-head (as with most of Obama's choices!) he didn't file his taxes until about to come up for a hearing on his suitability! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted May 10, 2009 Report Share Posted May 10, 2009 To be fair, whilst Gordon and NuLab are taking the flak for this; ALL MPs are culpable - thus a good reason for voting for other than the three main Parties next time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
byrdy Posted May 10, 2009 Report Share Posted May 10, 2009 In the interest of fairness,as well as the Tory MP claiming for Tampax,a Labour MP,also male,has claimed for panty liners.Makes you wonder what's going on there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Kennedy Posted May 10, 2009 Report Share Posted May 10, 2009 I sense that they just put the whole shopping bill in....probably on the basis of, if in doubt........claim....as I said before there loks like a profit element in much of what I have read about so therefore a case for the Inland Revenue to look at. I read that the chap who oversees the payments is on ?125,000 a year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter T Posted May 10, 2009 Report Share Posted May 10, 2009 He also spoke to his boss about it some time ago and told to ignore it. His boss being the Speaker, who also tried to stop any info being released to the public. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy Posted May 10, 2009 Report Share Posted May 10, 2009 News tonight said they suspect that more dodgy expense claims will be identified over the next few days with other political parties claims being brought into the publics eye. Woman interviewed likened it to removing a plaster.... 'do it in one go quickly' and it only hurts for a very short while and is soon forgotten.... but do it slowly, bit by bit and over time the pain is greatly intensified and grows psycologically with each little tug. (or words to that effect anyway). Other half said it was mentioned that one MP has apparently claimed for 'mole removal' in his/her garden... guess they may all claim for mole removal now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted May 10, 2009 Report Share Posted May 10, 2009 All this is no different that the fiasco created by the bankers; it represents a crime against "the people" and if there were any justice; it would be the summary justice of a firing squad at the back of Whitehall for the lot of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grumpy old man Posted May 11, 2009 Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 Sadly, all your views and opinions are just like mine....Too late. We want to shut the stable door after the horse has bolted. The political classes have taken what they wanted, everything now is a mopping up operation. What has been proved is that our main political parties are self serving, maybe a good time to examine parties that are usually classed as extremist by the self served and see if they are different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted May 11, 2009 Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 Well folk will have an opportunity to punish the "main" Parties on 4th June at the Euro-Election, by voting for Parties other than Conservative, Labour or LibDem. Kill the Pigs - VOTE! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grumpy old man Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 This is a time of genuine turmoil. The regular politicians are seriously in a position of mistrust. Who would you trust with your vote? It lasts for about five years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 I think I'll cross out the names and vote for myself. Presumably they will then have to record the fact that I have bothered to vote but I couldn't find a suitable box to cross so I've not been totally apatheic What would actually happen if most people did it or they simply wrote 'none of the above'. Would it count..... Guess not eh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lt Kije Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 Just a quick one Observer, You say don't vote for a main party, are you Norman Tebbit Also UKIP have been in trouble for there expences in Europe so they are as bad, that leaves the BNP Vote Liberal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 Why are you so obsessed with Obs. Are you a bit weird.. watch out Obs you may have a stalker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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