The watchdog responsible for MPs’ expenses has been slammed for being “naive” and “irresponsible” by allowing claims for Christmas parties. The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) has told MPs they can expense the cost of food and drink for Christmas staff parties to taxpayers for the first time, although alcohol will not be covered.
Shadow business secretary Jonathan Reynolds suggested the expenses watchdog had been a “little bit naive” putting out such guidance. He told Times Radio: “People have not been asking for this. I don’t think anyone will use it.
“This is our regulator – the independent body that runs the MPs’ expenses system, which is a system for staff and rent of your office and all of that kind of stuff – being a little bit naive, because if they publish stuff like this, you will get a story like this. I doubt anyone will be using it.
