MPs' expenses: 'claims must be transparent' says Shapps

ALL expense claims by MPs should be published online as soon as they are made. That's the view of Welwyn Hatfield MP Grant Shapps, who said the current system 'absolutely' needed cleaning up. He was speaking to the WHT following days of damaging national

ALL expense claims by MPs should be published online as soon as they are made.

That's the view of Welwyn Hatfield MP Grant Shapps, who said the current system "absolutely" needed cleaning up.

He was speaking to the WHT following days of damaging national headlines over claims made by MPs, mainly to fund second homes.

Mr Shapps said a new "transparent" system would go some way to rebuilding public confidence in their elected representatives.

"People are right to feel pretty angry. It's been hugely damaging for Parliament and democracy, and is pushing people further away from those that have been elected.

"It's time to put an end to all this. The system absolutely has to be cleaned up."

Mr Shapps suggested receipts should be posted online as and when costs were incurred.

"I think it should be as transparent as possible. Doing that would discourage MPs from making claims that are less than reasonable."

For more reaction from Mr Shapps over MPs' expenses, see tomorrow's (Wednesday) WHT.