If gordon brown wants to improve his image with the electorate - he should change the rules immediatel

Sally Swann, Edinburgh,

The most disgusting part of this saga is not that some MP's are breaking the rules by overclaiming for items they have purchased or even that there is little scrutiny on claims but simply that they are perfectly entitled to claim back things like council tax, sky tv and food that the rest of us buy.

Lindsay Bell, Manchester,

How much does a pensioner receive?
AND
These people are preaching morality to ME.

Leo, Birmingham, England

There has, for many years, been a two tier society. Nu Labour promised to end it and make everyone equal when they were elected - but 11 years later they are looking like the Tories - fleecing the public for their personal gains. But don't expect it to change and don't expect fuel duty change either

Tim Murray, London,

How can the "honourable" members possibly appreciate what the average person in this country has to do to live, let alone the below average?
How can they feel our pain?
Their sole concern now is how do they hide it all from us!
Disgusting is the only way to describe their actions.

Jim, Prudhoe, England

Those exploiting the system should be forced to repay the money or else step down as MPs. No wonder there is no political will to tackle the unjust and speculative housing market that prices out average earners when so many MPs get mortgages paid by taxpayers who can't afford to own their own homes!

MB, Edinburgh,

What is truely irritating is that MP's pay for things out of their expenses that ordinary people have to pay for out of the wages. Why should the taxpayer pay for Gordon Brown's Sky subsciption??? Doesnt he have the funds to do it himself??

Tim, London,

The greed and double standards of our MPs is utterly disgusting and contemptible. We all need to join the haulage companies asap in publicly expressing our anger - only a country-wide public protest will get this message across.

Tim, Birmingham,

Some of these people had grace-and-favour homes provided in London (Blair, Brown, Prescott) so where is the "second home" expense they are incurring? This money has been used to embellish their own properties, or even to pay the mortgage. How did they think their claims werr acceptable?

Stuart, Plymouth, UK

Might i suggest an amendment to how M.P.s are addressed
for "Right Honourable" is surely an abuse under the
"Trades Desciptions Act "
"Right Shysters " would seem more appropriate

Geoff Mitchell, Fochabers, Moray

The scandal is primarily centred on what it is allowable to claim for - the system of ‘rules’ is so elastic as to be surreal and is in urgent need of independent examination. It has been described as being as bent as a nine-bob note. It is not bent (more’s the pity) but allowable, and that is the problem. It explains to a large degree (along with MP’s backgrounds) why politicians haven't got a clue what goes on in the real world.

Colin Downes-Grainger, London, UK

Highly irrelevant point, but having looked at some of the claims forms, energy bills seem particularly high- have they not heard of turning lights off and the carbon footprint? Or is that just another 'do as I say not as I do'?

AK, Pig Hill,

You can find details of your local MP,s expenses by loggin on to: TheyWorkforYou.com. You,ll be in for surprise!

barbaramcinnis, Lancaster,

We havent yet mentioned their holidays ! is there any one working in Parliament today ?

derek .bevan, huntingdon/cambs, England/UK

It is not just MP's having their noses in the trough.....I have 2 siblings working in the NHS and an in law in Social Services. All 3 of them have ridiculous leave allowances. One of them actually went on a course on how to claim expenses and was shown how to fiddle them!!!!!

Daryl Evans, Melksham, England

They should be housed at the nation's expence in a block of flats in a council estate, so that they can be close to the people they represent. That would help them to 'listen and learn' as GORDO is so often reported to have said he wants to do. The flats would be owned by the nation.

David Nammory, Liverpool,

As an unemployed person, I'm currently trying to obtain £15 under the travel to interview scheme (TIS). I have undergone a 1-on-1 interrogation for 30 minutes at the job centre, but left empty-handed. Yet MP's, with income and a future, claim, and get, large sums so easily. It's not just or fair.

Vernon Goodhand, Hull, England

There will soon be elections. Time to forget party loyalty and throw out all the corrupt and greedy representatives of the people. It is so simple to teach them a lesson. Jefferson said: People should not be afraid of Government, Government should be afraid of the people.

.;

peterfieldman, paris, france

If these are the rules that allow MP's to fleece the taxpayer then the rules are drastically wrong and need changing with immediate effect. "Honourable" do they not know the meaning of the word. Socialist Government for the people NO for themselves. What a Shabby Disgraceful Lot they are

June sumner, Retford, Notts

Why not purchase a fairly slummy tenement block to house MPs while in London so they can live like some of their constituents. It could have proper security and wallpaper peeling off the walls.

John Ledbury, Kings Lynn, England

Well, the tax payers are being taken for a ride! They are wasting so much of the public purse, yet so many British servicemen are denied some basic and vital gear when the serve the front lines for the "lack of funds". What a waste!!

Nathan, Hong Kong,

Our MP's of all parties seem to be able to show Mugabe and his like a thing or two when it comes to feathering the nest/s

William Watkin, Andover, UK

It is an absolute disgrace...in particular the Keens should be forced to repay the money or resign... It is not as if they are any good at running the country,thi sbunch of greedy incompetents

Jean, London, England

The whole system is open to flagrant abuse.Why do they need
second houses can't they use videoconferencing.
They should be moved into a Hall of residency where they can be monitored just like the rest of us.

Richard Brady, wallington, england

It is the hypocrisy of MP's that claim to represent "the people", many of whom would profess to be socialists or caring folk, yet they see no disconnect between them raping the public purse and shortages of funds for genuinely worthwhile causes.

Jon Quirk, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Socialists through and through.
You surely wouldn't expect them to travel up with the proletariat on the Tube each day? Be reasonable.

Bob, London, England

MPs should should be subjected to the same laws that apply to everyone, including matters of taxation and revenue. Flats should be purchased by the taxpayer and owned by them for MPs to use whilst in London. Personal goods and non-parliamentary expenses should not be paid for with taxpayers money.

David, Burton on Trent, Staffs

Corruption has gone on in this country for hundreds of years.
It's only now do we realise how corrupt ALL of our MP's are.

Gary, Stoke, UK

How can we find the expenses claimed by our local MP. Is there a list somewhere. Is it going to be published online. We all have a rigth to know where our taxes are going.

Jane, London,

OOOerrr.... Please can I be an MP?

dmckeown, rennes, france

Time for a two-tier flat-rate of annual expenses. One for MPs living within reasonable distance of Westminster (50 miles) & a higher one for those further away. Also time to appoint an independent regulator with real powers to sanction any 'hon' member and enforced repayment of unwarrented claims.

Donna Walker, Effingham, England

This is what western leaders call 'corruption' in third world. how better are they compared to african or asian dictator's corrupt regime & its cronies?

tim, London, Britain

I can see why people would want to be an MP; full index linked pension after 6 years service, reasonable salary, access to public funds for second homes, no experience needed.

Where do I sign up?

Neil Davis, Mountsorrel, UK

Well I'm a taxpayer, and I want this stopped. I want this stopped now, and I want some sort of explaination as to how this got so out of control. It's obcene. let's all march on Parliament and protest. This is still supposed to be a democracy.

Jane, London,

"A spokesman for the Department of Health said the Keens’ claims were within the rules." In which case change the rules

P Thomas, Merseyside,

This is not the whole story. How many of the services claimed have been undertaken by family and friends.When services have been purchased how do we know that a fair market price has been paid. Have the MPs obtained at least 3 tenders.The number of receipts so far dispalyed seem thin on the ground.

Owen O'Neil, Tunbridge Wells,

No wonder UK MPs have always strenously fought 9-5pm working, "preventing" them commuting, to say Brentford or Stevenage, like thousands of UK voters. Much better to get voters to fund their mortgages. Chances of MPs voting for these house sale proceeds to go to public purse?

Diana, Derby,

I fear democracy is slipping over the edge. Governments and politicians have no money of their own, only what they can raise in taxation. People vote to give power to those politicians, to spend that money wisely and with due diligence. When that trust is gone then we slip towards anarchy.

colin bond, london, england

MPs should be made to live in a Hall of Residence. If conventional housing is too expensive then how about converting those cold-war underground bunkers under London: it would make good use of existing facilities, is conveniently located, has excellent security, and the rats would enjoy the company.

Chris K, Cheltenham, UK

So often we sit upon high making moral judgments on foreign Governments, Russia, Zimbabwee etc our press makes much of corrupt ministers of foreign regimes lining their pockets at the expense of the people. The stables need a good cleaning before we can criticize others I suggest we scrap expenses

Gary, Swindon,

Could you please tell me and the public "(they are within the rules") Who makes these rules. I would like to know for future reference. There is no incentive to work hard in this country, when you have so many pigs in the trough.

ann, London, England.

So this is why they wanted to give everyone in Westminster a "moral compass"? No ethic, no morale, only a sheer will to steal money from the tax payer.

Let's hope that the new labour moral compass strongly points towards the closest exit..

Xavier, Oxford,

claiming expenses on a mortgage which is more than the value of the property.

Isn't this obtaining property by deception - a criminal offence.

Will Mr Blair be prosecuted, of course not. Not all the time a corrupt government is in charge

Mike, Gravesend, England

Prosecure all these lazy and corrupt MPs,. Give the power back to the people.

James Wong, Macau,

Only WE - the people - are to blame !!!!!!!! What are we doing, allowing these so called 'representatives of the people' to enter Office simply to serve their OWN interests.
The proverbial Man from Mars would say all these MP's each have the Life of Riley.
Get rid, I say, Get rid !!!!

Geof Band, Chesterefield,

Unbelievable! "Brentford is a suburb in the London Borough of Hounslow .., situated 8 miles (12.9 km) south-west of Charing Cross".(Wikipedia) - so why are the the 'Keens' allowed £100,000 of public funds to help pay for a second home/investment.? Beckett claiming £6500 for her garden chores!!

Gerallt Huws, Talsarnau, Cymru

The government have been "kind enough" enough to introduce shared equity schemes for first time buyers, while all the time MPs have obviously been receiving shared equity from tax payers. So on the same grounds do we get our money back when they sell their second homes ?

Peter Collins, Brighton, Uk

They may have claimed within the rules, but they treated public accounts as a pigs trough and acted without morals. Sack those who allowed it to happen. Legalised theft.

The simple answer is for the public to vote out the abusers of public cash come the next election. Of whichever party.

Peter, hertford,

I am utterly incensed that these MP's are able to claim these expenses, especially for second homes.
' everyone is equal, but,some are more equal than others'
Animal Farm, George Orwell
THIS QUOTE TOTALLY SUMS UP NEW LABOUR

Jacikie Chown, Didcot, England

if mp's lived in the equivilent of halls of residence the rooms could be let out during vacation periods (of which mp's have so many) to help defray the costs. of course the rooms would first have to be cleared out and left in a decent state.

davidch, purbeck,

I am thankful for the diligence of the The Sunday Times reporters and researchers in bringing this to light, I appreciate it's principally to increase sales, business is business and I respect that.
However, pay peanuts, get monkeys, though we need to ensure we're not paying monkeys with the gold

Josh M, London,

Our modern system, which we call "democracy", isn't. In ancient Athens, where real democracy was practiced, the people voted to elect officials for just one year. At the end of that term, they voted again to determine reward or punishment. It could be wealth, or death. Now that is motivation.

Tom Welsh, Basingstoke,

The story of the pigs at "Animal farm" comes to mind.

N Reed, Truro, UK

I hope to feel their pain at the next election just as I was delighted to say ouch after the recent by-election.

robert everitt, wolverhampton,

Absolute scum the lot of them.

Mick, Leeds,

It is long overdue that MP's remuneration and expenses should be examined by a truly independent body and not by MPs themselves. As history has shown and repeats itself, Cromwell was right to disband Parliament when he realised that MPs then were only serving their own self interests.

K H, Newbury,

Labour MP's spend spend spend at our expense and they have the nerve to tell us they know the pain we feel!

steve tea, manchester, cheshire

I hope they all paid tax on these "benfits in kind" - seems to me there is an element of personal use for these expenses.
With Brown's twelvety thousand new bits of red-tape there must one or two that can be used to string these thieving scoundrels up with.

Eddie, Harrogate, Yorkshire

It's no good crying about MP's pay, pensions & expenses. There has got to be a legal way to stop such excesses. Is there some way to stop MPs awarding their selves such lucrative pay and expense deals.

Bob Davis, Medway, U. K

What's the problem with having a set of permanent flats set up for MP's when they're away from home, similar to Halls of Residence for students ?
These could be maintained like the few remaining Council Houses, with no expenses claimable, but all services like telephones being recorded.

Cap, Lincoln, England

Politicians find it difficult to pay with their own money despite beeing very well paid. They simply do not want to understand the difference between their own money and the taxpayers money. They have forgotten who they should serve. The very same taxpayers who are paying for their salery.

Chris Barkinge, Malmoe, Sweden

When they get kicked out of Government.do the sell the homes and give the money back to the tax payer

john , Scunthorpe, UK

I don't see the problem: they do run the United Kingdom after all- that's no easy job.

adam Wilson, Nairn, United Kingdom

Danny Wong: "Those in parliament who spend but do not perform should be sacked".

I like that idea. Maybe we should ask the Queen to sack these democratically elected individuals. If the Queen wouldn't oblige, then I might take the job... depending on the pay + expenses policy.

James, San Diego, CA, US

Disgusting. This is taxpayers' money, not the MPs'. The rules should be overhauled to reflect what would be acceptable in a commercial organization, regularly audited and abuse exposed & punished. Imagine a CEO being found guilty of cynically using company funds for such blatant personal gain.

Brit in Europe, Brussels, Belgium

It makes me physically sick reading this. We have a major problem here - they have all been hypocritically troughing away for years and cannot be trusted to set their own compensation passages - but who can we vote for to change it ??

Peter Collins, Brighton, Uk

Oink Oink - the whole thing is a national disgrace.

Tom Henderson, Cambridge, UK

There is nothing wrong with paying for quality, the civil service should pay competitive rates to private industry to attract talented individuals to help lead the country. Equally however, only the deserving should receive this. Those in parliament who spend but do not perform should be sacked

Danny Wong, London,

Reading this makes me boil inside, given that so many people now have to scrimp and scam just to get by.

Time for a smaller, less expensive and less intrusive government.

Andy, Edinburgh, UK

How convenient,to be able to claim all these expenses for Mortgages and Insurance when you live in Brentford.How far is that from the Houses of Parliament,5 miles ?.You could get home any time it suited you.Even the expense of a taxi would not be significant.

Ed Corbett, bridgend, wales