HON. MEMBERS' OFFICE AND PAY ARRANGEMENTS

EDM number 819 in 2008-09, proposed by Bob Spink on 23/02/2009.
Categorised under the topic of Members of Parliament.

That this House notes that public trust in political parties and in Parliament remains at an historically low level notwithstanding recent changes to make hon. Member's expenses more transparent; believes these changes fall short of the root and branch modernisation of the way hon. Members are remunerated, organise staff and pay for their essential work and offices; further believes that hon. Members should get no expenses at all, excepting essential job travel at cost; further believes that hon. Members are paid to do a full-time job and should not have substantial additional paid employment, but should be paid an appropriate salary to fund their essential work as a Member of Parliament, including keeping accommodation in London where necessary; further believes that hon. Members should not decide or vote on their own terms and conditions of employment; further notes that it is inappropriate for hon. Members to maintain 646 separate small businesses in the House; further believes that staff, communications and office costs should be met directly by the Department of Resources, which should be the formal employer of all hon. Members' staff, and that, in consultation with each hon. Member, the Department of Resources must engage only a person who is qualified for the job; and further believes that this over-arching modernisation should be implemented as soon as possible so the House can get on with its job of holding the Executive to account, defending the country and democracy, and assisting people who need help.

This motion has been signed by a total of 3 MPs.