Forum Topic

Ann Keen MP and Alan Keen MP may lose their perks

According to The Hounslow Chronicle dated 24th January 2008, the latest report by the independent Senior Salaries Review Body has called for a review of the system of Additional Costs Allowances which has allowed Ann Keen MP and her husband Alan Keen MP to claim the cost of a second home in London - even though they have a home in Brentford within 10 miles of the House of Commons. At the moment any MP with a constituency outside Inner London is entitled to claim expenses for staying in the capital while on parliamentary duty but most Outer London members turn it down or only claim a small amount. For example, Stephen Pound, the Labour MP for Ealing North claimed a mere £221 in Additional Costs Allowances last year.  In contrast Ann Keen claimed £18,701 and Alan Keen claimed £19,814- as they are entitled to because their constituencies are classified as being in Outer London.The payment of these Additional Cost Allowances to the Keens has cost the taxpayers £199,091 in the 6 years from 2001/2002 to 2006/2007. Mr Keen claimed a total of £102,133 and Mrs Keen claimed £96,333 according to www.theyworkforyou.com The report says:"The division of London constituencies into outer and inner zones appears somewhat outdated and may not take account of improved public transport in London, nor the modernisation of the Commons' sitting hours.""We suggest that the House review whether some constituencies in the outer zone should be reclasified to the inner zone, thus attracting only the London Supplement."" It has been argued by some observers that because MP's may make a capital gain from owning a second home, the cost of which is met at least in part from the Additional costs Allowance, there should be some means of sharing the gain with the taxpayers", the Report says.A tribunal ruling is expected shortly on whether MP's must disclose how they spend their expenses.Mr and Mrs Keen have consistently failed to explain why they justify claiming the Additional Costs Allowances.Mary Macleod, the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate, has said that she would not claim the Additional Costs Allowance - even though she would be entitled to it under the current rules.

David Giles ● 6388d12 Comments

Find an M.P. who is universally liked and you'll have found a miracle. Yes, people on here do have their own agendas, I suspect she is actually pretty typical. However, I think looking at the paper today all this is about to be subjected to a little more daylight and perhaps regulation.

Vanessa Smith ● 6385d

I really think that the expenses system for MP's should be explored to fund reasonable expenses for the running of a constituency office.It is plain daft to make prospective MP's run around declaring that they will not claim what should be a reasonable cost from public funds to do the job.  It is also plain daft to say that a family member should be under suspicion if claimed for as a member of the constituency team.It is a shame that MP's didn't drive this 'modernisation' themselves.We knew of somebody running a small registered business which kept being 'focused' by the IR because it was considered that money might be 'lost to back pockets' the upheaval each time nearly brought the business to its knees.  Maybe the tax man is strapped for resources to run his business so cannot easily step out of familiar territory.So many things should be looked and often it is not about thinking up a new idea or policy - but just plainly to check out what we have already and make them work.  Was the heating allowance meant to pay lump sums to people living abroad in a hot climate and not paying our cold weather heating bills?  Instead of bringing in a new policy - why not check out the intentions of the original one?  Was the child benefit system meant to pay out money to children abroad?  Was the social care system meant to support elderly and vulnerable people who have supported this country through their life time?  We have recently had experience of elderly relatives going through private funded care and NHS continuing care and at every given opportunity Social services people thrust forms and detailed questions about their finances as the first consideration - being plain nosey as they are not entitled and have no reason to know details.I must say I am disappointed in not hearing nice reports about our MP Ann Keen - maybe the opinions on here are not balanced or maybe they are accurate how do I know in the Political melee?:-(

Sarah Felstead ● 6385d

They do.  All you need to do is write to them, and they will give you a local telephone number.  Call it and leave your contact details on the answering machine, and an address will be sent to you in the post, which you can write to for a contact number.  Call the number and they'll send you the address of their Surgeries' Secretary, who will send you an e-mail address with a password a PIN number.  Enter the details of your complaint and someone will be in touch.Or are you one of these people who wants everything laid out on a plate for you?

Phil Andrews ● 6385d

I didn't know they have surgeries !!

David Giles ● 6385d

"They even issue joint press statements."I believe they also have visiting rights at each other's surgeries.

Phil Andrews ● 6386d

Who said anything about divorce ? So far as I know Mr and Mrs Keen are happily married.They even issue joint press statements.

David Giles ● 6386d

so this one flat they have in Covant Garden that they both claim off and we pay twice for is now part of their divorce package, so where is my bit - as a tax payer how much do I get back?????????????????///

Jo Smith ● 6386d

That's exactly what I meant too !!!!TA x

Tracieanne Mortensen ● 6386d

I have no idea if Mr and Mrs Keen live together or how many houses they have.That's a private matter and I could not possibly comment on that.However, I know that Mr or Mrs Keen or both of them have a house in Brentford.I also know that both of them have been claiming the Additional Cost Allowance from the taxpayers for having a second home in Central London.Whether it is one more home or two I don't know.What I do know, is that the Keens' housing arrangements, whatever they may be, have cost us - the taxpayers - over £200,000 by now.

David Giles ● 6386d

Tis only what I've heard ;-))(was i not supposed to then??)TA x

Tracieanne Mortensen ● 6388d

I`m glad you posted that and not me!

Paul Fisher ● 6388d

Don't they have two houses as they don't live together???  She lives round the corner from me !!TA x

Tracieanne Mortensen ● 6388d