New UK tax rules allowing MPs tax breaks on the cost of travelling to European meetings are open to abuse and bring members “into disrepute”, according to a senior Opposition spokesman.
The new rules have been introduced as part of the Finance Bill and are designed to reimburse members of Westminster, the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh and Northern Irish Assemblies for up to three trips to the continent a year on official business.
However, Accountancy Age reports that Tory shadow Chief Treasury Secretary Howard Flight warns the system is “widely open to abuse and to swans” adding that “there is no logical argument for paying expenses to potter across to Europe rather than paying expenses to go to see a politician in America.”
Justifying the rules, Paymaster General Dawn Primarolo explained that they helped MPs to set up meetings with fellow parliamentarians in Europe and “encourage dialogue and understanding.”
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