to think MP's second home allowance is too easily forgotten about

[freddy05]

They can claim up to £20000 a year in second home allowance from us taxpayers on top of all their other expenses claims, food entertaining, travel etc, and yet they are cutting people's benefits to the point that they are having to use food banks and cutting housing benefits for people having 'spare' rooms and totally capping benefits at £26000.

I can't quite believe that people who are supposed to be serving our country can get away with having so much money in expenses from the taxpayer and still keep a straight face while they try and pitch us all off against each other.

The nation needs to save money, we all know that, but us voters seem to be missing the real problem and we're turning on each other while those in power are getting richer and richer

Fair enough, then corporate housing/one-bed flat in London, a la the MOD/forces, if they want to buy a home there, they can do it themselves. NO more taxpayer buying them a second home in London.

that a 1 bed flat is sufficient for an MP why do they need houses paid for by the tax payer , TBF our local MP does share a flat apparently with another female MP

They can, but most women prefer not to be away from their families all week, IME.

'They can, but most women prefer not to be away from their families all week, IME'

And men don't? What a sexist assumption. Want to bring your whole family: fine, do it off your own back aside from the allowance for a one-bed flat just like everyone else has to do.

expat

In times when the country is doing well economically and financially I do actually think it is fair enough that MPs get rent on a London home and various other expenses paid. It's a thankless job and that's a nice perk.

However, our country can't afford perks at present. It would be unpleasant for the MPs to lose their allowances but not as unpleasant as it is for millions of benefit claimants to have their benefits cut.

If the poorest have to suffer then so should everybody else. It should be top down when it comes to cuts, not bottom up.