Reply to: When you have a minute...

[expat]

In fairness it has been sucessive governments that politicised expenses, as pay rises were seen as bad publicity they kept them lower than they wanted and encouraged MPs to claim as much as possible

Then of course in an internet age, journalists start investigating individual MPs expenses and this whole circus kicked off

Looking at what they do, they should be able to claim home to work travel, they have a job outside any normal remit

The problem is expenses have been used as an alternative for pay rises, rather than their right to claim expenses

One prime minister in particular. To avoid stupid aguments, I won't name her.

[lucyclarityumbrella]

Great response to survey so far...

Just thought it was worth a quick update to say thanks to those of you who have had your say on the T&S changes dues, we have had a great response to the survey so far with some interesting feedback from both Ltd Co contractors and umbrella contractors. If anyone fancies having their say then please fill in the survey. All responses will be anonymised before submitting

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

<bump> We will be submitting anonymised responses from contractors from all different sectors to HMRC's planned changes to the T&S rules - I'd really appreciate if you guys could take a couple of minutes our of your busy days to add the benefit of your wisdom Budget 2015 : AUCAE launch survey urging contractors to have their voice heard. - All Umbrella Companies Are Equal

Thanks

[northernladuk]

Being "underpaid" considering the house gets to set its own wage levels is fairly absurd.

Are you sure about that?

[TykeMerc]

Pretty much, MPs are underpaid for what they do but no one had the guts to argue to keep their wages in line with inflation

Instead fiddling expenses was seen as a perk that all the major parties tolerated to make up for it

Being "underpaid" considering the house gets to set its own wage levels is fairly absurd. Unless you regard their pay as appropriate in the context of serving their constituencies. More than a few members barely set foot in Westminster between the opening and closing ceremonies.

Fiddling the expenses system which, compared to what the rest of us is allowable, is still generous to say the least wasn't a suitable or sensible answer.

[MicrosoftBob]

So almost like a salary sacrifice arrangement really

Pretty much, MPs are underpaid for what they do but no one had the guts to argue to keep their wages in line with inflation

Instead fiddling expenses was seen as a perk that all the major parties tolerated to make up for it

[TykeMerc]

Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority That one is quite interesting too.

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

In fairness it has been sucessive governments that politicised expenses, as pay rises were seen as bad publicity they kept them lower than they wanted and encouraged MPs to claim as much as possible

Then of course in an internet age, journalists start investigating individual MPs expenses and this whole circus kicked off

Looking at what they do, they should be able to claim home to work travel, they have a job outside any normal remit

The problem is expenses have been used as an alternative for pay rises, rather than their right to claim expenses

So almost like a salary sacrifice arrangement really

[northernladuk]

Simple really, one rule for them, another for everyone else, nothing even slightly new about that.

If I tried to expense some of the stuff they're permitted or even encouraged to do then I would be jailed for tax evasion.

Surely you can expense anything you want from your company if there is a business need (or quite possibly not) . Whether your company can get tax relief is another matter. Again, isn't this a case of muddying the issue by not being clear of your relationship to your client/company.

[MicrosoftBob]

What does the panel think about MP's claiming home to work travel http://i.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/m...k_1403174a.pdf

In fairness it has been sucessive governments that politicised expenses, as pay rises were seen as bad publicity they kept them lower than they wanted and encouraged MPs to claim as much as possible

Then of course in an internet age, journalists start investigating individual MPs expenses and this whole circus kicked off

Looking at what they do, they should be able to claim home to work travel, they have a job outside any normal remit

The problem is expenses have been used as an alternative for pay rises, rather than their right to claim expenses

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

Simple really, one rule for them, another for everyone else, nothing even slightly new about that.

If I tried to expense some of the stuff they're permitted or even encouraged to do then I would be jailed for tax evasion.

Quite This link takes you to an Excel spreadsheet for MP's travel expenses Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority - accommodation and travel feature pretty heavily

[TykeMerc]

What does the panel think about MP's claiming home to work travel http://i.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/m...k_1403174a.pdf

Simple really, one rule for them, another for everyone else, nothing even slightly new about that.

If I tried to expense some of the stuff they're permitted or even encouraged to do then I would be jailed for tax evasion.

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

What does the panel think about MP's claiming home to work travel http://i.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/m...k_1403174a.pdf

[northernladuk]

But employees often claim to effect their tax position, given the option of taking the train or driving on business how many drive so they rack up the expenses, it also incidentally helps their companies tax position as well

Am not so sure that is true...

[MicrosoftBob]

I think we have to be careful with our arguments here. You can have paid holidays, gym memberships etc.. It's just your company does not want to provide it as a benefit. Companies pay things to employees to keep them happy, not to affect their tax positions. I think a couple of comments might be forgetting this distinction so muddying the waters.

But employees often claim to effect their tax position, given the option of taking the train or driving on business how many drive so they rack up the expenses, it also incidentally helps their companies tax position as well