Working away from home - what can I expense?

[Pete Marsh]

How smart of you to make an original quip. The whole point is they're NOT allowed, but did it anyway and now are in trouble for it like anyone else who fiddles their expenses (ok they get more leniency in some cases but then some employers would be more lenient than others too).

If they're caught fiddling,then they can just change the rule, viz Baroness Scotland:

The Sunday Times revealed last week that Scotland had received £170,000 from an allowance intended for ministers in the House of Lords who live outside London. This was despite the fact that the baroness has owned a family home in the capital for 15 years and tells the Lords it is her main address.

Before our article, the Cabinet Office could not have been more clear that Scotland should have received the allowance only if her main home was outside the capital.

However, less than 24 hours after the article was published, Baroness Royall, the leader of the Lords, sanctioned a statement by the Cabinet Office which overturned all its previous advice. It said the allowance was available to all lords who serve as ministers, regardless of where they live. LINK

It ain't a level playing field.