British Banditry: Major Climbdown On MPs' Expenses Rules Due to Cameron Pressure

A huge climbdown on rules governing MPs' expenses has been announced following pressure from David Cameron and Conservative MPs.

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) is softening the expenses regulations after the Prime Minister condemned them as "anti-family" and demanded changes by April.

The expenses watchdog is set to allow the bill for MPs' expenses to rise by millions of pounds - allowing more to be spent on accommodation, travel and staff.

For the first time, MPs will be able to claim lump sum payments upfront and use taxpayer-funded credit cards for their expenses.

Several MPs living in commuter areas around London will also be allowed to claim for a second home, overturning a clampdown introduced after the 2009 expenses scandal.

Ipsa said it was adjusting the expenses rules and simplifying the process for claiming.

The authority's chairman Sir Ian Kennedy said the changes were "helpful strides forward on the way to restoring the public's confidence in Parliament". (read more)