10:11am Tuesday 5th May 2009
By Michael Pickard
Watford MP Claire Ward will lose her second home allowance, in the wake of a Parliamentary debate about the future of MPs' expenses.
Though a decision on the future of MPs' second home allowances was postponed until an inquiry into the expenses system has finished, it was agreed that all Greater London MPs must stop claiming the controversial allowance.
This affects all constituencies within 20 miles of Westminster, including Watford, and their MPs will now instead be handed a £7,500 London allowance.
MPs also agreed to publish all details of second jobs, and for receipts to back up all claims, during the debate on Thursday.
The temporary measures will be put in place until a full review of expenses conducted by Sir Christopher Kelly takes place.
Ms Ward said: “Obviously this means that over the coming months I will have to make changes to the way in which I work and balance my family. I voted for these proposals because I recognise the need to support a package of proposals that will bring about change to MPs expenses and allowances.
“I did not cherry pick those which would have worked to my advantage, unlike the many Conservative MPs who voted not to allow transparency in the recording of additional earnings from second jobs. This was significant reform and recognition that Sir Christopher Kelly will be bringing forward more long-term reforms. Change is always difficult but, in this case, it is the right thing to do.”
Ms Ward was recently featured in a television documentary that highlighted the fact she claimed £95,000 between 2002 and 2007 for a second home in Westminster.
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