Including a neat summary of the latest dramas:
Alistair Darling has claimed thousands of pounds in expenses on his family home while renting out his privately owned London flat and living in a grace-and-favour apartment in Downing Street, it was reported last night.
The Chancellor has on a number of occasions swapped the title of main home between his house in Edinburgh and his flat in London, reportedly enabling him to claim expenses for both dwellings while also earning rent from his South London flat.
Mr Darling joins Jacqui Smith and Geoff Hoon as the latest senior members of the Cabinet to have their expenses put under scrutiny.
via Now Chancellor Alistair Darling under fire for expenses – Times Online .
When military officers serve unaccompanied in a consistent location, they take a room in the officers’ mess, which provides a modest room plus shared dining, lounge and bar facilities. I wonder if such an arrangement could work cost-effectively for our MPs…
