MPs’ expenses reflect wider problems in society
May 18th, 2009 by Clare Cochrane Posted in Equality
It’s been difficult to escape the blanket press coverage of the MPs’ expenses scandal but, while the media have had plenty to say about our elected representatives, one important issue has been conspicuous by its absence. What this is really about is inequality and unfairness. It’s about how income and wealth inequality in this country is at an all-time high. The rich may live in the same country but they are on a different planet. It’s also about the unfairness of having one set of rules, enforced more thoroughly, for the poor and a completely different, more relaxed set, for the rich.
MPs’ salaries may seem fairly high to some of us, but lawyers (£70,000 average) and CEOs (£100,000) are earning even more. Now compare it to the average wage in Britain: about £25,000 per year. If you earn the National Minimum Wage you’ll be on about £11,000 per year. (If you’re on JSA, you’ll pull in around £3,350, although you will also be entitled to other benefits.) These days CEOs and company directors are earning over 75 times more than the lowest paid – 20 years ago that figure was only 17 times.
And it’s not just the money that’s different – the rules are different, and differently enforced, too. A friend of a friend of mine was recently hauled through the courts after he failed to pay back a housing benefit overpayment of £200. He didn’t pay it back because he couldn’t. Another friend of mine is in debt to the tune of a few hundred pounds because of her housing benefit being mistakenly stopped when she declared payment for leading two community arts sessions (well within the benefits earnings disregard). She has no idea how long it’s going to take to pay it back. This is making it hard for her to consider paid work as she’ll suddenly be expected to pay the debt off more quickly and won’t have enough left over from her pay packet. Even if the MPs have to pay some of their expenses claims back, they hopefully (after years of decent earnings) have savings and other assets to fall back on, and won’t be left struggling to pay for essentials like a new boiler, cooker or a school trip for their children.
Surely what’s fair for one group of people is fair for everyone. We need tougher rules and better enforcement for public servants claiming expenses and more understanding and better support for those living close to the bone trying to keep their families and homes together on low incomes.
And, of course, more equality. Time and again, as other UK poverty blogs have discussed, societies with greater wealth equality are happier. Maybe as well as considering a 
One Response to “MPs’ expenses reflect wider problems in society”
By James on Jun 9, 2009
Thanks for pointing out this issue which has been growing as you said. I remember a year or two ago city traders and bankers bragging about �2000 lunches for two or four around bonuses time. Hopefully this will stop now but likely will only become more hidden.
I think the other issue raised here is differing ‘rules’ and social justice organisations that work on public attitudes should be yelling from the rooftops about this and the horrific unequal society we have become. Thanks for raising these…