Are MPs really that bad or any different.

[Damo1176]

With all the furor over MP's and their expenses I thought I'd drag the small matter of contractors expenses. Although without a doubt MPs have taken the piss and in some cases on a major scale, someone tell me that many people wouldn't do the same. I know many contractors that claim flat rate subsistence, claim even after 2 years at one location and claim for stuff they shouldn't yet tdon't register for a moment this is wrong.

Recently a colleague's umbrella told him he could carry on claiming expenses after the 2 year rule because his umbrella's parent company actually own small subsidiaries (Horzion I think they are called) and simply moved people about between their subsidiaries so as to avoid this rule and he was told this is perfectly legal. Hus umbrella company also noted he claimed no fuel to go to work (he lives just 1 mile fom the place), they then proceeded to tell him next time he went away for a weekend to claim the fuel for it.

It makes my blood boil as many of these people are the ones moaning about MP's expenses, take a long hard look at yourselves before having a pop at them please.

[watford]

MP's Expenses

Well the mps only have themselves to blame for this crisis , I have no sympathy what so ever for them as they have been taking the rise for a long time ,with flipping homes , no reciepts for cash expenses , avoiding capital gains tax ? etc , as for contractors taking the rise that maybe a small percentage , but don't tar everyone with same brush , If tried to do what mps did my accountant would not authorize them simple as that !

[northernladuk]

Gotta say I totally agree. Not to dwell on the MP's things but anyone that seriously thought that this wasn't going on on the scale it did really needs a reality check. Wouldn't you have done the same in the their position? But anyway....

Looking at some of questions on here ranging from just not having a clue to the downright devious and convoluted I am sure there is some very artistic expense claiming going on. Before I get flamed I am all for claiming every single penny I am due in anyway legally possible cause they will dam well do the same to take it off me. It just scares me the trouble people I am sure are getting themselves in to, either knowing it or just falling in to a blackhole.

I don't feel that angry about it though, something like this I am sure will come back and bite them a lot faster than the MP's. I like to sleep at night for the sake of a couple of quid.

Saying that there is nothing clever about double standards though. Them in glass houses etc...

[xoggoth]

Do any contractors claim the sorts of things MPs have? TVs, gardening, pool repairs, mortgages? I very much doubt it. Most contractors get at least one compliance check by HMRC but do MPs ever get checks apart from by someone in the house?

Most importantly, can contractors make their own laws exempting themselves from rules that apply to everyone else? The only proper term for that is corruption.

The comparison is idiotic.

[HairyArsedBloke]

There is a world of difference! The MP’s are claiming expenses on top of their salaries; it is extra pay for them. Contractors are just trying to reduce the amount that would be confiscated by the state. The two issues are not comparable at all.

I used to push the envelope when it came to expenses. I got a receipt for everything I could and then tried to invent some reason to use it to protect my own earning. Now I don’t need to worry as all of my money is mine and it’s got nothing to do with the UK government.

[Damo1176]

I'm just saying everyone takes the p***, I 'd love to say I never do but I do on occasions. Many people argue that contractors just try to find every legal way possible to reduce the amount they lose to the state but why the hell should they be any different to normal employees who get robbed blind. A lot of contyractors i know do take the p*** and many are through umbrellas and feel protected from legislation because of it. However when HMRC come knocking (if they ever bother) the umbrella will offer no protection.

[NotAllThere]

I'm just saying everyone takes the p***, ...

I don't. hth

[hyperD]

Do any contractors claim the sorts of things MPs have? TVs, gardening, pool repairs, mortgages? I very much doubt it. Most contractors get at least one compliance check by HMRC but do MPs ever get checks apart from by someone in the house?

Most importantly, can contractors make their own laws exempting themselves from rules that apply to everyone else? The only proper term for that is corruption.

The comparison is idiotic.

Agreed. Do contractors carry out the compliance checks with other contractors? No.

Once upon a time, MPs were of honour, integrity and interests for the country before their own.

The fact that they refer to each other as "Honourable Gentleman" - surely that's the real effrontery?

[original PM]

it is true there is no comparison between MPs claiming out of pocket expenses on top of their salaries and the contractors trying to pay as little tax as possible on their earnings.

the example with the brolly given is rubbish - it is dependant on your place of work not where the brolly is

and no I do not take this p*ss with expenses - something to do with having some morals and not willing to lie to or defraud anyone for a any extra few quid a week.

but there are plenty of people out there who will see their granny for a fiver

[Tingles]

[QUOTE=original

but there are plenty of people out there who will see their granny for a fiver[/QUOTE]

I can 'see' my granny for free