I think that shows a lack of understanding of the public anger at this issue. The rules have been largely governed by MP's themselves and its clear they may have been so relaxed that MP's could get away with a lot that the public would find utterly unacceptable. MP's cant vote themselves a big pay rise they've tried to sneak around them by leaving expenses rules so vague and relaxed that they can get away with a hell of a lot.

Burnham is'nt exceptional in this, but he is'nt any better. MP's either thought it was utterly acceptable to do this, or they thought they could get away with it. Either way the whole thing stinks

Whilst working within the Public Sector Im pretty sure putting dodgy claims in is deemed as misappropriation of funds. Going back a few years a high ranking official within our job was given a Prison Term for this .
I very much doubt that our elected highwaymen would receive the same treatment.

Barty,you are correct,it is stealing & does warrant a prison sentence

Nothing to do with the recession. This has been looming for a couple of years now ever since a journalist ( can't think of her name but think she's an american living over here) decided to use the Freedom of Information Act to request this sort of info.For the last couple of years MP's have been battling to control if the information is released and if it is how much of it is.

What makes me chuckle about Hazel Blears, who is my MP by the way, is that she says she is sending a cheque to pay for Capital Gains Tax that isn,t due.

This therefore is a voluntary payment and will be set against any future liabilities shey may or may not incurr.

In effect therefore the gesture isn,t what it seems because if say in 12 months time or less when all this fuss has died down she is entitled to ask for it back, and, the Inland Revenue would have to refund it but couldn,t tell the press.

the latest claims are a disgrace david blunket has claimed for a moto cross bike, a hand glider and a pair of binoculars.