The world's most-read Scottish politics website

Wings Over Scotland


Frozen at zero

Posted on November 03, 2013 by

So I guess now we know why Ed Miliband isn’t too bothered about whether energy companies whack their prices up before and after his 16-month “price freeze” or not.

edlectric

Because we’re paying his bill either way.

Ed Miliband’s parliamentary salary is approximately £140,000. Plus expenses.

101 to “Frozen at zero”

  1. Kevin Lynch says:

    According to the Metro there are MPs claiming a heck of a lot more than that for their gas & electricity bills. And the poor souls have just had a miserable £10,000 wage rise.

    Reply
  2. I have a very hard time not swearing when I see something like this.

    Reply
  3. gordoz says:

    Total promotion of Nu Labour mantra (& tactics) –
    I’m alright Jack; ‘nough said ?

    Reply
  4. Smudge says:

    And yet it’s the unemployed and disabled that are seen as benefit cheats and scroungers 🙁

    I wonder how long it will take until we see cheques being waved in the air ala blears stylee saying they’ve paid it back and it was all really husy a mistake and not really theft.

    I make no apology to calling them all thieving bastards

    Reply
  5. jim mitchell says:

    ‘I have a very hard time not swearing when I see something like this
    Stewart Bremner
    Go on Stewart, enjoy yourself!

    Reply
  6. panda paws says:

    If you want to read more and the blood pressure can take it
    link to theguardian.com
    “The Conservative MP Nadhim Zahawi, a founder of the market research firm YouGov, claimed the most with a bill totalling £5,822.27 to cover electricity and heating oil for his estate in Warwickshire”

    Reply
  7. call me dave says:

    Standing in the cafe queue with a middle aged guy. He said, “You’ve made your mind up then” ,nodding in the direction of my YES badge.
     
     “I think I’m going to do the same” he said showing me the front page of the Daily Mirror he was holding.  
    link to archive.is

    “I’ve had enough of these b@@gers”!   Front page:MPs claiming for energy bills on expenses. 
     
    I said “there are more folk than you think voting YES”.   He nodded, grabbed his coffee and shambled off.   Here it is!

    Reply
  8. gordoz says:

    Sorry Rev can’t resist – In light of what you’ve just put up this is apt.
    To all  Ed miliband and J Lamont fans who may have found their way here –
    (And Dunfermline Labour voters)
    Hello, Hello, Hello …..
    Is there anybody in there?
    Just nod if you can hear me
    Is there anyone home?


    Reply
  9. Stuart Black says:

    FFS Margaret, at least spare us the lame excuses, the Tories are honest enough to not bother, why do you? How’s your hanging baskets getting on anyway?
     
    Dame Margaret Beckett, who has been Labour MP for Derby South since 1983, claimed £3,960 on gas and electricity on her constituency home. Mrs Beckett said there was “ill health in her family” for the period covering the expenses claim which meant being in the house longer and having the heating higher.

    Reply
  10. RedStarTrout says:

    The energy companies need to raise about £110 Billion by 2020 to pay for new power stations. They can do that from borrowing, from their shareholders, or from their customers.

    Thanks to Ed threatening to freeze their income they immediately lost about 5% of their share value. That means that their shareholders aren’t going to stump up the cash and the business doesn’t look such a good bet for lenders. 

    So thanks to Ed the only option they had left was to squeeze some more, a lot more, out of their customers. Ed and the Labour party might claim that they are trying to protect people from the energy companies, but they are the people who caused the energy companies to put their prices up.

    Remember, we’re all in it together, we all get to pay a share of Ed’s electric bill, even if Ed doesn’t.

    Reply
  11. MochaChoca says:

    The second home allowance I suppose is reasonable when it comes to rent/mortgage costs (although in the case of a mortgage it would seem fair that any profit at the end of their term should belong to the taxpayer) and also perhaps council tax and insurance.
     
    But surely other living costs for consumables such as food and energy should be borne by the politicians, afterall the rest of us have to pay for these things from our ‘normal’ income and any food / energy costs incurred when in London means not having to spend this at their other address (standing charges excepted)

    Reply
  12. Seasick Dave says:

    Its what Johann Lamont means by a Something For Nothing culture.
     
    Isn’t it, Johann?

    Reply
  13. The Man in the Jar says:

    @Seasick Dave
     
    Excellent comment!

    Reply
  14. X_Sticks says:

    Just slightly O/T – I missed this article by Simon Henry of Royal Dutch Shell on Friday in the Herald.
     
    link to archive.is
     
    “Asked about Scotland possibly voting for independence in the referendum next September, Mr Henry said: “We try to stay out of such geopolitics in general and reiterate that our wish and our need for investment is a long-term stable energy policy and fiscal framework. What we don’t need is arbitrary and unexpected changes in fiscal regimes. I can’t speak for Scotland, but the UK has a track record of exactly this, which has affected our own willingness to invest in the UK in the past.””

    Reply
  15. gordoz says:

    X_Sticks
    Great spot there !

    Reply
  16. gordoz says:

    Seasick Dave
    Lets tell Johann and her cronies who support the Tories ‘Something For Nothing’ in September next year !

    Reply
  17. MochaChoca says:

    @X-sticks
    I bet that article wouldn’t have been tucked away in the company news section had he answered the independence aspect in a way more favourable to the NO side !

    Reply
  18. gillie says:

    Ian Davidson claimed £1333.45 

    Reply
  19. Aidan says:

    Makes you shiver, doesn’t it?

    Reply
  20. HandandShrimp says:

    £4,000 quid for heating? WTF?
     
    What the hell was she heating an Olympic sized swimming pool….or am I just a cheap skate going for the energy saving bulbs and jumper option?

    Reply
  21. Jon D says:

    BTW?
    How short is the list of things MP’s actually have to pay for?

    Reply
  22. gillie says:

    Margaret Curran claimed £653.17

    Reply
  23. gillie says:

    Cathy Jamieson claimed £725.47

    Reply
  24. gordoz says:

    O/T on GMB huge surprise announcement.
    Are any WoS community, members of the said Union ?
    Were you or your colleagues consulted as they have said ?
    How did they measure this ? – did you all vote or did they just say – Yeah thats great to hear your views but  we’re still opting for no  – Coz we’re better together we think  and were opting to wait for more powers ?? (Whit?)

    Reply
  25. Ian Brotherhood says:

    O/T, but I don’t want to put this in old thread-
     
    Just had confirmation from SSP Regional Organiser that we will actively protest against the scrapping of the Prestwick ‘Prom’ Fun Day, and will be approaching other local organisations/residents to force the community council to reverse this ludicrous, cowardly decision – if they don’t, we’ll organise a People’s Fun Day.
     
    Have to get a press release done – if anyone else is a member of Ayrshire groups who want to get involved, drop me a line ian@stevenston4.fsnet.co.uk and if you know of anyone who should be on the mailing list for a press release apart from Irvine Herald, Irvine Times, Ayrshire Post, Kilmarnock Standard and Ardrossan/Saltcoats Herald, please let me know details before 10 pm. Cheers.

    Reply
  26. Albalha says:

    It’s MSP’s as well of course, here’s the link for their Edinburgh utilties claims Oct-Jan 12/13 for anyone interested.
     
    link to mspallowances.scottish.parliament.uk

    Reply
  27. Seasick Dave says:

    Ian Davidson claimed £1333.45 
     
    I’d imagine that, being cold blooded, most of that is for sun lamps.

    Reply
  28. Albalha says:

    @gordoz
    Here’s a YES Unite member and their views, popped up on the WoS twitter feed. And I’ve seen another post saying it was ONLY the Scottish Committee of Unite who took the decision. Duh, GMB!
     
    link to twitter.com

    Reply
  29. gillie says:

    Gordan Banks 793.39
    Ian Murray 747.39
    John Robertson 721.48
    Brian Donohoe 725.99
    Frank Doran 924.99
     
    All Labour MPs

    Reply
  30. gordoz says:

    Albalha – Cheers
    I just hope members react to this they are being treated like shxt as always.
    Just watched Politics Scotland today (last segment) first for a long time – nice to see our Labour friends getting a right kicking for a change.

    Reply
  31. Stuart Black says:

    “Ian Davidson claimed £1333.45”
     
    Perhaps his reclining sofa is heated?

    Reply
  32. O/T Sorry, did you hear Kate Higgins on Headlines this morning? After a tweet correcting Ken’s musing over Wings gingerbread story. Kate was heard to say… “The cybernats will have to be careful what they wish for”. So you’re all cybernats here!!

    Reply
  33. HandandShrimp says:

    Richard
     
    Kate isn’t a big fan of WoS, but if she got to know us she would realise we are lovely really….mostly…well a bit nippy sometimes but in a sweet sort of way.

    Reply
  34. Albalha says:

    @gordoz
    Did they do the GMouth story?

    Reply
  35. gordoz says:

    Kate who ?
    Who’s she ??

    Reply
  36. HandandShrimp says:

    Ian Davidson’s electricity bill was mostly consumed by his electric bayonet sharpener.

    Reply
  37. Stuart Black says:

    😀

    Reply
  38. Morag says:

    £4,000 quid for heating? WTF?

    What the hell was she heating an Olympic sized swimming pool….or am I just a cheap skate going for the energy saving bulbs and jumper option?

    It’s not that hard to rack up some quite substantial heating bills.  My house is quite big, and although I try only to heat the bits I’m using at the time and I do wear an extra pullover, it can be a bit of a money pit.  Out in the country and 800 feet up, and of course no mains gas so I’m dependent on oil deliveries.  I get by by simply not adding up the oil and the electricity and the LPG cylinders for the gas fire.

    But it’s my choice and I’m the one who pays for it, out of taxed income.  Reimbursing these buggers for luxurious lifestyle choices is ridiculous.  They can afford it, let them pay for it themselves like the rest of us.

    Reply
  39. gordoz says:

    Yip
    And I would say JoLa got a ‘roasting’ over Falkirk but dont want to give the wrong impression.

    Reply
  40. HandandShrimp says:

    gordoz
     
    Kate Higgins (I think)…SNP National Collective…bit of a purist. We are political ragamuffins with suspect views on some of the more politically correct issues….or something like that. On the same side but different or something…I dunno I am political ragamuffin I don’t know about these things

    Reply
  41. Albalha says:

    Just seeing in Twitter land that the Sunday Times is reporting today that there are allegations against Labour and vote rigging in East Dunbartonshire too.

    Reply
  42. Albalha says:

    @Morag
    No open fire?

    Reply
  43. call me dave says:

    Scottish section starts exactly 38 mins in.
    Nothing to write home to your mother about until even the EU Croatia is waffle..
    1hr and 7mins to get to discussion stuff on the weeks news
    Police and then Falkirk / Grangemeouth/ China
    Lamont gets it in the neck, problem for labour being silent!
     
    link to bbc.co.uk

    Reply
  44. Albalha says:

    Another hellish Bedroom Tax tale.
     
    link to archive.is

    Reply
  45. Morag says:

    @Morag
    No open fire?
     
    Living flame.  I’m lazy that way.

    Reply
  46. gillie says:

    Kate Higgins pseudo-nationalist closet-unionist cyber-not.

    Reply
  47. rabb says:

    They should build a campus outside London and house MP’s there with no expenses payable.

    They can make their own way into work at their own cost in the morning like the rest of us.
     
    Fucking spongers!!

    Reply
  48. Morag says:

    I don’t think she’s a closet unionist.  I think she’s just so far up herself that she comes over that way.  Everything has to be done Kate’s way or it isn’t right, so of course she spends a lot of time criticising her fellow-travellers.  And she’s more interested in how many X chromosomes someone has than in the quality of their contribution, which is sad.

    Reply
  49. HandandShrimp says:

    gillie
     
    LOL I think that is the harshness she objects to. I’m pretty sure she is a nationalist but she is charmed by the politically sophisticated and nuanced approach which we are much less enticed by.
     
    She is young and the young are always sure, it is a youth thing 🙂

    Reply
  50. Jen says:

    Do SNP MP’s claim for electricity and Gas bills? 
     
    I think the MPs salaries and expenses are way to generous.  They need to be reduced in order to ensure they know how ordinary people live.  Salary should be cut by a third, pension the same as say a cleaner in a school. Houses purchased should become the property of the Government not the personal property of the MP. 

    No wonder these people are so out touch and enact some of the laws that they do.  It doesn’t affect them so why care. 

    Reply
  51. Albalha says:

    @Jen
    Thought you were asking about MSP’s. I’d be surprised if SNP MP’s didn’t.

    If you look at the link to the story you can find them all.

    Reply
  52. Ronnie says:

    @gordoz
     
    Kate Higgins – she of the ’ems’.
     
    Anyone count ’em?

    Reply
  53. Boorach says:

    Glad to hear that Ian B! Let us know if you lefties need any financial help to make sure Ayr has  it’s fun day.

    Reply
  54. Boorach says:

    Apologies Prestwick not Ayr… those towns all look the same down there! 🙂

    Reply
  55. tartanfever says:

    Jen says:
     
    Do SNP MP’s claim for electricity and Gas bills? 
     
    Yes Jen, they do. It’s a mixed bag really, there are some MP’s that claim nothing, like Darling.Brown and Moore – Stewart Hosie doesn’t either. 
     
    However, the one who claims much more than anyone else is our old friend Ian Davidson. As mentioned already, he’s up at £1,333 – everyone else is well below the £1,000 mark.

    Reply
  56. Andy-B says:

    Here’s a few more MP’s who claimed for electricity, but as some of the above posts state, Tory MP, Nadhim Zahawi, is the worst offender.
     
    link to bristolpost.co.uk

    Reply
  57. Andy-B says:

    O/T Rev I do apologise.
     
    Had to laugh at the thought of Teresa May and her visit to Scotland to preach how Scotland would be wide open to espionage, and infiltrators after independence, due to our, lack of intel links.
     
    The Home Secertary forgets that it was her total mis-management of the UK Border Agency, that apparently let in up to a million people over a period of time, without proper checks.

    Reply
  58. Albalha says:

    Having taken the time now to fully read the source story and the who’s who of claiming energy bills I wonder why 309 MPs can manage without claiming. And if they can why not do away with it? I appreciate some MPs don’t have wads of spare cash, like rather too many, but one of the richest MPs claims the most.
     
    And 41 of the 341 who claimed were for £1000 plus bills. I think it has to be one constituency home and then hotel stays no more of this second home business. Plenty of people are away from their families for all or part of their working week.

    Reply
  59. david says:

    o/t   Theres a Yes Scotland event at the Smith museun in Stirling tomorow evening. 7.30 kick off.

    Reply
  60. Robert Kerr says:

    Note that Red Ed’s electricity is paid at Doncaster not London. So it’s for his constituency house. What is his electricity bill for his London accommodation?
    Remember we mortals pay out of taxed income.
     

    Reply
  61. Thistle says:

    OT
    Hi
    I’m trying to raise £350 for an independence project using crowdfunding and was wondering if you could help, if not financially maybe send link to your friends?

    Also I’m looking for somebody that can do some graphics, so if you can help please email kevingibney2001@hotmail.com

    link to igg.me

    Cheers

    Reply
  62. Morag says:

    Salary should be cut by a third, pension the same as say a cleaner in a school.
     
    The other side of that argument is, how do you attract professional high-flyers into politics in that case?  With low remuneration you’ll mainly get two types of people – those with independent means who are probably doing it as a power trip (there are a lot of these as it is), and those whose qualities can’t command more than a modest salary in the wider job market.
     
    Difficult circle to square.

    Reply
  63. Thistle says:

    OT
    Just to let you know our next project “The Economic Case for an Independent Scotland” will involve a presentation and Q & A by 3 members from Business for Scotland… Ivan McKee, Michelle Thompson and Eric McLean that we intend to promote and stream live, so please help with the funding it’s not much.
    The event will be on 26th November Gladcafe, Glasgow…

    Reply
  64. handclapping says:

    @Morag
    What about those that really want to make a difference for others? What would they cost if they weren’t crowded out by the self-seeking chancers presently attracted by the lucre on offer?
     
    Does the present system attract a Parliament of suitable talents? Will the Tony Blair problem solving by throwing more money, our money, at it make it any better?

    Reply
  65. david says:

    The other side of that argument is, how do you attract professional high-flyers into politics in that case?  With low remuneration you’ll mainly get two types of people – those with independent means who are probably doing it as a power trip (there are a lot of these as it is), and those whose qualities can’t command more than a modest salary in the wider job market.
     
    Johann Lamont for example

    Reply
  66. Morag says:

    I don’t know.  That’s why I said it was a difficult circle to square.

    Reply
  67. Stuart Black says:

    Do we really want to persist with ‘professional high flyers’, have we not been thoroughly shafted by that type already?
     
    Not sure that level of income is directly proportional to a flair for politics, but  I am utterly sure that there is a wealth of talent out there struggling by on an average wage.

    Reply
  68. Morag says:

    There’s more than one type of professional high flyer though.  It’s a difficult problem, and I can see both sides.  Self-seeking chancers are perhaps the bigger problem.  Bus conductor – TGWU – active in Labour party – safe Labour seat – set up for life.  What use is such a person to the people they represent?  Usually, not a lot.  And yet, unless they blot their copybook by over-claiming expenses, they have a decent chance of a platinum-plated retirement with an ermine neck-warmer.

    Reply
  69. Stuart Black says:

    Sure, we see that all the time in the Labour party, especially up here. It just seems to go along with the party system, the self-seeking chancers on one side, the millionaires who see no paradox in claiming the energy costs of a 31 acre estate, complete with riding school business, on the other.
     
    It’s refreshing that the SNP seems to have attracted a better class of polly, maybe it’s the conviction politics thing, I don’t know. But people like Martin and Prsecott, and the rest, ending up in ermine, makes me sick.

    Reply
  70. david says:

    Was terrific forward thinking on behalf of the Tories to infiltrate the Labour party with one of there own (Tony Bliar). long term strategy, to turn Labour into a right wing party and unelectable to the core vote.

    Reply
  71. gillie says:

    MPs claims for gas and electricity.
     
    1. Scottish Labour £10,827.68
    2. Scottish Lib Dems £1631.49
    3. SNP £1446.15
    4. Scottish Tories £159.64
     
    Top Five claims
     
    1. Ian Davidson Lab £1333.45
    2. Frank Doran Lab £924.99
    3. Gordon Banks Lab £793.39
    4. Ian Murray Lab £747.39
    5. Cathy Jamieson Lab £725.47

    Reply
  72. Almark says:

    Perhaps we need a system where MPs are required to spend more of their time in their constituencies rather than hobnobbing with party apparatchiks, SPADs and lobbyists in parliament. With modern communication technology there’s surely less need for them to be in the actual debating chamber (if, indeed, they’re there at present) and could do their job equally well from a constituency office. 

    A requirement to be physically present in constituencies would discourage carpetbagging candidates being flown in from head office and remind our representatives that their job IS to represent us.

    Reply
  73. Jen says:

    Morag says:
    3 November, 2013 at 5:10 pm
     The other side of that argument is, how do you attract professional high-flyers into politics in that case?  With low remuneration you’ll mainly get two types of people – those with independent means who are probably doing it as a power trip (there are a lot of these as it is), and those whose qualities can’t command more than a modest salary in the wider job market.
     Difficult circle to square.

    Very challenging, but how about limiting the term an MP can serve to say 2 terms.  I am starting to lean towards those who can’t command more than a modest salary.  These people are ordinary people and more likely to serve in the interests of ordinary people.  I don’t think the people in the 3 main parties have a clue about ordinary people and that’s a result of already being extremely rich or in a safe seat!  There is no need to try to serve ordinary people. 

    In addition, I would make any MP convicted of an offence, removed from office immediately and pension rights removed.

    Reply
  74. kininvie says:

    @Morag,
    The ancient Greeks came up with a solution of a kind. Each year, Athenian voters would be asked if they wished to ‘ostracise’ someone. If they voted Yes, they then nominated and voted for a person to be ostracised. The ‘winner’ was then exiled for ten years, at the end of which he could return with status and property intact:
     
    link to en.wikipedia.org
     
    We might have to adapt the penalty to modern times a bitty, but it might serve to concentrate the minds of the troughers, the toadies and the useless numpties a little.
     
    In fact, if we put the loser on a box outside the parliament and any registered voter had a day in which to lob a wet sponge, it could make a great tourist attraction….

    Reply
  75. Albalha says:

    @gillie
    Do you have the list of the Scottish MPs who didn’t claim anything? I know I could check but just thought you may have done it.

    Reply
  76. Jimbo says:

    I see that Alistair Darling, some-one we all like to ridicule on here, is on the list of those who didn’t claim – as is Eric Joyce.
     
    On the other hand, I feel let down by the SNP MPs. It makes it far more difficult for us to to point the finger and complain about the morally corrupt Westminster system all of us here want to be rid of when they too are joining in the free for all.
     
    I had hoped that they would have refrained from such gravy-train activities. In view of the fairly paltry sums they claimed for, was it really necessary?

    Reply
  77. Albalha says:

    @jimbo
    Re SNP, hear hear. Given almost half of all MPs didn’t it makes you wonder. But of course as I posted higher up MSPs do the same.

    Reply
  78. gavin lessells says:

    Germany leading the way?
    link to bbc.co.uk

    Reply
  79. ronald alexander mcdonald says:

    O/T It looks to me that Lamont is on her way out. The day after she make a fool of herself (yet again) for criticising AS over Grangemouth The Record prints a story where McLuskey praises him etc. A coincidence? I think not.

    Saturday’s leader in The Herald also put the boot in. Very unusual!

    Today’s Sunday Herald was brutal, although no real surprise.

    Unionists realise she’s a liability for the NO campaign. As well as for Labour. 

    Reply
  80. Thepnr says:

    @gavin lessells
     
    Some things are just better by being in public hands. Everybody knows that if you want to win “Monopoly” forget Park lane and Mayfair just grab the water and electricity utilities as quickly as you can. 

    Reply
  81. Jimbo says:

    @Albalha
     
    Aye, Albalha, I checked your link. It of makes a mockery of any politician who talks about a ‘Something For Nothing Culture’.
     
    It also makes a mockery of those politicians who claim to feel our pain. Maybe it would help if they all started to pay their own way instead of living off of us, then our taxes might not be so feckin high. Is their anything these people actually pay for?

    Reply
  82. Edward says:

    Just yomping through Ian Davidson’s expenses (he does read a lot of newspapers)

    He bought himself his constituency office a camera on 31/03/2103 for £ 218.99 and on the 29/03/2013 an iPad SIM Card for a fiver
    He purchased for himself his constituency office an iPad on 29/03/2013 (same time as the SIM Card) for £ 803.00, can only assume he needed a top of the range Apple iPad Air 128gb, though that retails at £ 739

    He must have lost his keys to the office as he bought keys for the constituency office on 14/02/2013 for £ 16.50
    Apparently his constituency office needs a TV, as he claimed for a TV licence for it on 07/02/2013

    Reply
  83. Thepnr says:

    @Edward
     
    Talk about snouts in the trough! Unbelievable, lets get this on leaflets.

    Reply
  84. Albalha says:

    @jimbo
    The range of allowances is simply not on. I think the fact not all MPs or indeed MSPs make all claims then why are they necessary? There are hard working politicians and not sure it’s a job I’d fancy doing BUT there has to be a curb on it all. And as I’ve said the second home nonsense should end. Hotels or perhaps MP only London/Edinburgh pods a la Japanese.

    Reply
  85. Brian Mark says:

    Nearly £15000 claimed by representatives of the boss class in Scotland is being done at a time when they seem to be doing there level best to kill of pensioners, the sick and the poor who at this very moment are facing the prospect of having there heating allowance cut is a bit feckin out of order. Lets attend the bastards next surgery and let them know exactly what we all think

    Reply
  86. tartanfever says:

    gillie says:
     
    MPs claims for gas and electricity. 

    1. Scottish Labour £10,827.68
    2. Scottish Lib Dems £1631.49
    3. SNP £1446.15
    4. Scottish Tories £159.64
     
    Not really fair as there are far more Labour MP’s than SNP. If we take it that there are 41 Labour (including Eric) , 11 Lib Dems, 6 SNP and  1 Tory, then a rough calculation of comparison would see averages of:

    Labour – £264.09 per MP
    Lib Dem – £148.32
    SNP – £241.02
    Tory – £159.64
    But yes, some of the Labour MP’s are claiming considerably more than others, including MP’s from their own party. By far the cheapest are the Lib Dems.

    Reply
  87. Jimbo says:

    “By far the cheapest are the Lib Dems.”
     
    The Lib Dems have always come cheaply.
     
    Ask any Slab (1999 – 2007) or Westminster Tory (2010 – present day) – they’ll corroborate that. Give one of them a sniff at a ministerial car seat and they’re all yours.

    Reply
  88. Jingly Jangly says:

    Whats the problem with people claiming expenses? its fiddling expenses which is the issue.     I would support a higher basic wage and no allowances.
    I would make it so that expenses could only be claimed on rental of property, no more should we pay for mortgage payments. Or you could make capital gains tax applicable against any profits from Flipping…
     

    Reply
  89. ronnie anderson says:

    Ahve jist read as far as FEFIN B BECKETT  (there was Ill health in HER FAMILY ) is IT  a FAMILY & FRIENDS FUCKING EXSPENCES CLAIMS LIST   ( AM FUCKING ILL FUR SIX MONTHS ) Am waiting on a operation ( brain ) can ah claim extra heating allowance FUCKIN NAWS THE ANSWER. ( There again if am lucky the Sth Gen Hosp will keep me in Hosp during the worst of the winter ( thats if I get a date for a operation soon ) B TARDS  B TARDS  B TARDS    Nae app REV fur Sunday profanity

    Reply
  90. Scotrock says:

    Must admit the  SNP MP let us down here. 
    Make us just as bad as all the rest . Did expect a troughing SNP MP

    Reply
  91. ronnie anderson says:

    Richard Bruce RE kate whits hername AM NO A CYBERNAT    WE RE AWE TREATED AS DOORMATS   WIPE YER FEET ON THE WAY OOT  KATE

    Reply
  92. Scotrock says:

    Oops that should have read I did NOT expect a troughing SNP MP 

    Reply
  93. Graeme McCormick says:

    I’ve never understood why there isn’t a Premier Inn type boardinghouse for MPs and MSPs provided by the pubic purse , and that Brian Soutar be asked to provide a fleet of megabuses with sleeping facilities to take them to their mainland constituencies again at public expense on a Thursday evening returning on a Sunday evening/ Monday morning.

    If they miss the bus the pay fr their own arrangements.

    Reply
  94. annie says:

    It’s  probably more a case of MPs / MSPs having not gotten around to claiming yet rather than choosing not to.  Can’t see flipper paying his own electricity bill when he doesn’t have to.

    Reply
  95. Dave McEwan Hill says:

    Graeme
    Isn’t a pubic purse usually known as a codpiece?
    Seriously- a hostel is exactly what they need. We have the ridiculous situation in Argyll and Bute where our MP has his home and his second home almost within sight of each other. 

    Reply
  96. Earlier I went through all our MPs down here and made a table and some graphs. the results are quite staggering. Labour down here were the worst culprits too. Our highest claim was more than our lowest 28 combined. Outrageous.

    Reply
  97. truescot says:

    I agree , can we see ur graph

    Reply
  98. Smudge says:

    Plenty of old army barracks down in London to keep the tossers all in one place with the added benefits of watchtowers in case they try to sneak out. machine guns and snipers optional (all facing into the camp.)
     

    Reply
  99. Delia says:

    Even a self-employed person who works from home would not be able to claim 100% of their home electricity bill against tax. £348 for three months certainly looks like most if not all of his home bill.

    Reply
  100. Kenny Campbell says:

    I see the Herald is running an interference campaign for Labour today on expenses by declaring Salmond spent 5K on cars in London…

    Reply
  101. Bill Fraser says:

    I read this today, it seems to put Millibands strategy of price freezes in the round file.
    “During its financial crisis, and in response to public anger over rocketing charges, Argentina imposed a freeze on people’s energy and water bills (does this sound familiar?). It was sued by the international utility companies whose vast bills had prompted the government to act. For this and other such crimes, it has been forced to pay out over a billion dollars in compensation(4).”
    link to monbiot.com

    Reply


Comment - please read this page for comment rules. HTML tags like <i> and <b> are permitted. Use paragraph breaks in long comments. DO NOT SIGN YOUR COMMENTS, either with a name or a slogan. If your comment does not appear immediately, DO NOT REPOST IT. Ignore these rules and I WILL KILL YOU WITH HAMMERS.


  • About

    Wings Over Scotland is a (mainly) Scottish political media digest and monitor, which also offers its own commentary. (More)

    Stats: 6,726 Posts, 1,215,029 Comments

  • Recent Posts

  • Archives

  • Categories

  • Tags

  • Recent Comments

    • Hatey McHateface on The Gender Of Mountains: “Seems that neither Sven nor Bob have anything sensible to say about the war in the east. No change there…Apr 3, 19:26
    • Robert Hughes on The Gender Of Mountains: “Of course Swinney would bend over to * accommodate * the utterly farcical ” Red Menace ” bollocks ; another…Apr 3, 16:25
    • Sven on The Gender Of Mountains: “Vivian O’Blivion @ 14.15. A senior source close to the First Minister has a brass neck to dare to even…Apr 3, 16:12
    • Aidan on The Long Future: “@Xaracen – there is no such thing as a binary state, states can either be unitary (like the U.K.) or…Apr 3, 15:02
    • Hatey McHateface on The Gender Of Mountains: ““there’ll be Ruskie tanks parked in front of Hollyrood if we’re no careful” That, my dear Vivian O’Blivion, is an…Apr 3, 14:59
    • Hatey McHateface on The Gender Of Mountains: ““gutless pro Trump Brit Yoon NAZI appeaser” Iain treats us to another lesson on “hearts and minds”. Just in case…Apr 3, 14:47
    • Young Lochinvar on The Gender Of Mountains: “The Khmer Vert should just pull the trigger of the metaphorical gun they are holding to their own “electability” heads…Apr 3, 14:20
    • Vivian O’Blivion on The Gender Of Mountains: “The Scotland Editor of The New Statesman, Chris Deerin is full of praise for Mayor Swinney of Brigadoom. “The SNP…Apr 3, 14:15
    • sarah on The Gender Of Mountains: “Yes – the ICCPR is an international obligation, however. For more information about the strength of the petition see Leah…Apr 3, 14:12
    • Dunx on The Gender Of Mountains: “The HRC And the ICCPR are different things.Apr 3, 12:54
    • MaryB on The Gender Of Mountains: “Thanks for that, Sarah.Apr 3, 12:16
    • Xaracen on The Long Future: “As for the “principle of respect for the territorial integrity of states”, that can only apply to unitary states. For…Apr 3, 11:48
    • sarah on The Gender Of Mountains: “Scotland Act 1998 clause 7 (2) Sub-paragraph (1) does NOT reserve – (a) observing and implementing international obligations, obligations under…Apr 3, 11:30
    • Xaracen on The Long Future: “Ah, so it’s not an important matter of principle at all, then. It’s just a shoddy excuse to keep certain…Apr 3, 11:28
    • Mark Beggan on The Gender Of Mountains: ““A gutless pro Trump British yoon Nazi appeaser” as opposed to an aborted pro Faggot inbred Lefty jizz stain.Apr 3, 10:24
    • Aidan on The Gender Of Mountains: “@Mary – you’re right, but the UNCRC was successfully challenged in the Supreme Court on the basis that it extended…Apr 3, 10:04
    • Sven on The Gender Of Mountains: “Iain More @ 08.15. I suspect that this will be in retaliation for the 82% Tariff which the Islands impose…Apr 3, 09:49
    • Southernbystander on The Gender Of Mountains: “Is there not a serious problem of throwing the baby out with the bath water with this endless invocation of…Apr 3, 09:44
    • MaryB on The Gender Of Mountains: “Aidan @ 6.23am Why don’t you Google UN Human Rights and ICCPR? The UK adopted the overall Human Rights Act,…Apr 3, 09:36
    • Iain More on The Gender Of Mountains: “Ok we get that you are a gutless pro Trump Brit Yoon NAZI appeaser. Thanks for letting is know.Apr 3, 09:22
    • Hatey McHateface on The Gender Of Mountains: “Why is this a gift for Scottish Indy, Iain? Is iScotland going to stand up to President Trump and the…Apr 3, 08:48
    • Iain More on The Gender Of Mountains: “41% Tariffs on Falkland Islands. What did they do to piss off Fuhrer Trump? I had no idea that the…Apr 3, 08:15
    • Aidan on The Gender Of Mountains: “Another cunning plan based on a whole heap of made up legal arguments which no court, anywhere, is going to…Apr 3, 06:23
    • Hatey McHateface on The Sacrifice: “@Zimba Regarding moral inconsistencies. I believe a meaningful debate between fair-minded individuals acting in good faith first needs some kind…Apr 2, 21:17
    • sarah on The Gender Of Mountains: “IMPORTANT: Leah Gunn Barrett attended the Public Petitions Committee at Holyrood today in order to see what would happen to…Apr 2, 19:40
    • agent x on The Gender Of Mountains: “Caroline Lucas says: “He helped transform the fortunes of the Scottish Green party – taking the party into government for…Apr 2, 18:13
    • Porty on The Long Future: “Have a wee look at her post and highlights of committee meeting today at Holyrood today, she’s a fighter, well…Apr 2, 18:08
    • Porty on The Long Future: “So the game’s a bogey, so we call it a day?Apr 2, 18:04
    • Porty on The Long Future: “So the game’s a bogey, so we call it a day?Apr 2, 18:00
    • Porty on The Long Future: “Soz, double post…Apr 2, 17:41
  • A tall tale



↑ Top