Rt. Hon James Purnell, MP. Secretary of State Department for Work & Pensions. Has been in the news this weekend over the payment of his parliamentary housing allowance. It seems that the minister claimed more than his rent and his ex-fiancee having also contributed to the rental payment left most of this claimed housing allowance in his pocket.
As the minister in charge of the Welfare Benefits system. I am wondering if someone over claimed on their Housing Benefit would not face the inside of a court room?
Of course this is all Public Money and I doubt the minister faced the same investigations as those claiming Housing Benefit in justifying his claim for Housing Allowance.
You can read about the story by clicking on the links below.
Its been quite a week now that we have been able to have an insight into how those who make the policy's which affect our ability to live from day to day have been expensing lavish life styles. Avoiding Capital Gains Tax on the sale of properties, changing the designation of "second homes" it seems at a whim. A lack of consistency in designating homes depending on which organisation the MP is engaged with, avoiding tax liabilities.
When we make a claim for public money in the form of benefits, we are forensically examined to prove eligibility and often we have to prove entitlements repeatedly.
It is not that I mind legitimate expenses being met but I have to say if this behaviour was transferred to the benefits system I suspect many would face the inside of a court room. Remember MP expenses is also public money.
This is not party specific issues, no doubt in the fulness of time. MP's from other parties will face the same media scruitiny.
However government has a specific duty to be seen to be "whiter than white" using public taxes for the public good. A dependance on the rules as an excuse lacks integrity. Members of the commons are often referred to as "the honourable member" and ministers gain the title "Right Honourable" implying a behaviour expected.
The rules may allow wide interpretation BUT will any claim within the rules be seen as honourable?
It seems from the Sunday newspapers that Inland Revenue are going to look at the tax issues.
James Purnell's profit on the sale of his flat will be one of many tax avoiding property profiteering activities looked at.
He is not alone in the Department for Work and Pensions though. Tony McNulty, one of his ministers has been referred to the Police over his claims and it seems Kitty Ussher is also under the "microscope" for the £20,000 spent refitting her second home within 12 months of being an MP.
£20,000 would pay the benefits for one disabled person to live on the poverty line under current rates.
Engaging as we do with the DWP we know that equity is merely a concept when it comes to the assessment of entitlement. Is is any wonder?
A good presentation in committee room 3 at Parliament yesterday by UNICEF. They were presenting their report "Preventing HIV with young people: the key to tackling the epidemic".
An interesting discussion with UNICEF Chief of HIV/AIDS programme division. New York Jim Kolker talking about the situation in Africa and some of the good progress made in terms of preventing mother to child infection.
Dr. Nina Ferencic was presenting the issues in Eastern Europe and Asia started by reminding the audience that AIDS/HIV and its issues are not just African based, albeit the difficulties that exist there. She spoke about the former Russian states and the lives lived by children who as well as having HIV are often drug users & involved in the sex industry. Heavily stigmatised with no political or celebrity champions it is an uphill battle.
David Burrows the Chair of the APPG HIV/AIDS informed the meeting of the events mentioned by Neil Gerrard about children in the UK.
I had an oppourtunity to speak to some of the members of the Lords & Commons afterwards. I mentioned the situation in Northern Ireland relating the information passed to me by Tony Bell. It seems that even within the United Kingdom boarders, HIV is more heavily stigmatised in certain regions than others. Getting local political support difficult for many reasons least of all personally held discriminations.
On questioner asked the UNICEF delegation about criminalisation. The response was the same as given by UNAIDS at a similar meeting last year. That they were strongly opposed to this as it not only fertilised stigma but placed another barrier to people who would otherwise be tested.
Often we take for granted the services we have, we don't often stand up and fight where we should when those services are lost. I know living in London I am somewhat better placed than those who live in other parts of the country. I alarms me that there is sometimes a huge disparity in services offered and the delivery of same up and down the UK. I hear about it every day. I am grateful to those who email me as it centres my thinking and comment on the differences in the various meetings I attend.
Thanks to Baroness Northover who hosted the event.
The TUC is urging people to remember lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people who have been killed around the world on International Day Against Homophobia this Sunday (17 May).
Recent reports from Iraq reveal that the names of LGBT people are being fly-posted on streets, and those people are then being hunted down and murdered by gangs and the police simply because of their sexuality.
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: 'While unions have campaigned for equal rights for LGBT people with much success in the UK, around the world the situation is sadly very different.
'In many countries LGBT people face harassment, intimidation, violence, ostracism, hate crimes and even death, just because of their sexuality.
'International Day Against Homophobia is an opportunity for unions to highlight the suffering of LGBT people all around the world, and demand that the way they are treated is improved - both in the workplace and in the wider community.'
The TUC is organising an evening event in Brighton tonight (Thursday) and the CWU will be picketing the Indian embassy in London on Sunday (17 May).
It can become very disheartening with the expenses scandal rolling on. MP's spending habits surreal when cast against the amount of money those with disabilities have to live off. Clearly the moral authority has gone with the likes of James Purnell avoiding paying tax, must be nice to be in that position whilst controlling the destinies of those more vulnerable.
There are some elections coming up and the temptation is to vote with the heart out of anger rather than with the head. I would urge you to vote and vote according to your principals. The local council and European elections will not "get rid" of any standing MP that comes at general election time.
Don't get upset, don't get disheartened. It is difficult but we are all in the same boat. Our politics are changing and now more than ever is the time to get writing urging your MP or potential MP for their positions on the issues that matter to you.
