MPs warned of pay changes

MPs were warned yesterday they face “big changes” in their system of pay and expenses as Housing Minister Margaret Beckett became the latest member of the Government to become embroiled in controversy.

London’s Evening Standard newspaper reported she had been living in official grace-and-favour homes while renting out a London flat and claiming parliamentary allowances on another house.

According to the Evening Standard, Ms Beckett was given a grace-and-favour home in the 18th century Admiralty House when she became president of the Board of Trade in 1997. Between 2001-02 and 2006-07 she claimed £106,000 (€116,549) in Additional Cost Allowance (ACA) on a second home.