Giving you the full truth on expenses

The reputation of Parliament was black enough before the black-out of expenses. Today it's even darker. I have long argued that transparency is absolutely key to re-building that trust. Suspicion and cynicism are instantly aroused by secrecy, so we need to open politics up to the people - especially when it comes to expenses.

When it comes to so called redactions only strictly private information - like phone numbers and bank details - should be crossed out, because there are legitimate security concerns about having this information online. Censorship for any other reason is unjustifiable. This is public money we're talking about - money earned through the hard graft of the millions of people we serve - so it is wrong to try and throw a veil over how it is spent.

So what next? The House of Commons Commission should bring forward the publication of the 08/09 expenses in uncensored form. My Shadow Cabinet are already publishing their current expense claims online, and today I've asked them to go further by including all significant correspondence and receipts.

I have also put all my expenses for the last month online, in full. To go through them click here. We can only move on from this dark time in politics by recognising that people have a right to see exactly where and how public money is spent, because it's clear - there can be no trust without transparency. Anything less than the full truth is just not good enough.

Plaid: ‘Urgent need for debate on ministerial code’

Plaid Cymru’s Westminster leader has urged the leader of the House, Harriet Harman, to hold a debate on putting the ministerial code on a statutory basis.

Responding to discussions for a statutory code of conduct for members, Plaid’s Elfyn Llwyd MP stressed that there must be an adequate and thorough debate in the chamber to address these issues.

Mr Llwyd said:

“In light of the fact that, as Harriet Harman knows, there are detailed and urgent discussions going on about a code of conduct for members of this house: isn’t it now the time for a far stronger and more transparent code of conduct for Ministers?

“The ministerial code is important and we know that there have been some substantial transgressions of late. When can we have a debate on government time on this important issue?”

PM outlines vision for reforming Parliament

The Prime Minister has told Parliament that each MP has a part to play in “regaining the country’s trust” as he outlined proposals for reform.

In a statement to the House of Commons, Gordon Brown put forward changes on a range of subjects including MPs’ expenses, freedom of information and the modernisation of House of Commons procedures.

The PM said the Government plans to introduce legislation that could see a shift from self-regulation of the House of Commons - and subsequently the House of Lords - to independent, statutory regulation. A new Parliamentary Standards Authority would be given the power to regulate MPs’ allowances and the Commons would be asked to agree a code of conduct for MPs in order to increase accountability.

“There will be consultation with all sides of the House to come forward with new proposals for dealing effectively with inappropriate behaviour, including potentially the options of effective exclusion and recall for gross financial misconduct identified by the new independent regulator and the House itself.”

The PM’s proposals on MPs’ expenses were in addition to those already with cross-party agreement, such as the requirement for all spending to be receipted and incomes from second jobs to be fully accounted for. All parties have also pledged to accept recommendations from an independent committee due to report later this year, Mr Brown said.

The PM said the Government will also set out proposals for public debate on five major issues in the coming months: reform of the House of Lords to an elected House; introduction of a written constitution; devolution of power away from Westminster; reform of the electoral system; and increased public participation through electoral registration and greater engagement of young people, including a potential lowering of the voting age.

The PM said:

“As we come forward with proposals, in each case the Government will look to consult widely. And all proposed reforms will be underpinned by cross-party discussions.

“Our proposals will also be informed by leading external figures, including academics and others who command public respect and have a recognised interest or expertise in the difference elements of democratic reform.”

Today’s statement also contained proposals to progressively reduce the time taken to release official documents from 30 to 20 years and to broaden the terms of application of the Freedom of Information Act to include a wider range of organisations.

Mr Brown said all proposals would be brought before the House for debate in a standalone Bill ahead of this year’s summer recess.

(HMT) Report sets out vision for UK financial services sector

A reformed financial services sector will play an important role in Britain's economic recovery, according to a report published today by the Financial Services Global Competitiveness Group, co-chaired by the Chancellor Alistair Darling and former Citi Chairman Sir Win Bischoff.

The report, which reflects the view of the UK's financial services leaders, states that the UK's financial services sector can continue to be a world leader by working as a genuine partner of British business and emerging economies while embracing the need for global regulatory reform.
The Group was tasked in June 2008 with examining the medium to long-term challenges to London's continued success in global financial markets.

Working against the backdrop of the most severe financial crisis in generations, the Group has proposed a ten to fifteen year framework for strengthening the UK's place in the rapidly changing global financial services industry.

The report highlights the contribution of regional financial centres, noting that the majority of financial sector jobs are based outside the City of London, providing employment for hundreds of thousands of workers in regional economies. It also argues that the UK-based industry must seize opportunities to help meet the financial services needs of businesses and citizens in emerging markets, such as China.

The Group acknowledges the huge fiscal costs of the banking crisis to the global economy, taxpayers and public finances, and strongly argues that effective regulation - with the UK taking a leading role in formulating global and European standards - will be the most important determinant of the sector's future success.

Alongside regulation, the Report also highlights the importance of maintaining effective long-term performance in areas such as the UK's skills base, tax environment, innovation and promotional efforts to ensure that the financial services sector is well positioned to play a role in meeting the future economic opportunities of the UK and global economy.

Speaking ahead of the Report's formal launch at the London School of Economics, Alistair Darling said:

"Next month, we will publish proposals for strengthening the regulation of the financial services industry. Building on that we need to plan for the future. Britain has been a world leader in banking for centuries.

Financial services will always be an important part of our own economy, and not just in London. We will all gain from a strong and competitive financial services sector that helps to meet important needs like small business financing, clean energy infrastructure and investment for retirement. And we will also gain from a strengthened financial services sector throughout the world."

Sir Win Bischoff said:

"International financial services are not a zero sum game: progress in one country need not come at the expense of another. It is strongly in the UK's interest to build on its existing relationships with capital markets around the world, especially in the emerging economies. The timing is right as the financial landscape is changing around the world and we must make sure that world-class centres like London participate and benefit from this trend."