MPs' expenses: your questions answered
Updated on 11 May 2009
Jon Snow puts your questions and comments to a panel of MPs about the expenses they're allowed to claim.
Our panel of MPs includes John Mann from Labour, Ben Wallace from the Conservatives and Norman Baker from the Liberal Democrats.
We're also joined by Heather Brooke, the freedom of information campaigner who won the court battle to have MPs expenses released, Mark Wallace the director of the Tax Payer's Alliance and Kate Bell director of policy at Gingerbread, a charity campaigning on behalf of single parent families.
The view from Harrogate Hospital
Gordon Brown made his apology today at the Royal College of Nursing conference in Harrogate, telling delegates that just as nurses had to observe high standards, so should politicians.
Our north of England correspondent Nick Martin asked staff and patients at Harrogate District Hospital for their views on the expenses revelations at Westminster.
What do you think?
We would like to hear your questions and comments on the issue, which we hope to put to a panel of MPs in this evening's programme.
You can email your comments to news@channel4.com. We have posted some of the comments sent in so far below or you can join the debate on Jon Snow's blog: Snowblog.
Your comments
I run my own business and I'm not allowed to claim for anything that isn't directly business related, especially groceries. So why are the rules different for MPs? - Phil Peter, Lichfield
Should these wayward MPs be required to pay back their outrageous expense claims given that the public is expected to payback any over payment they have received from tax credits? - Marie-Paule Graham, Birmingham
Why have a second homes allowance? Why not have accommodation in the style of student halls of residence, or even better military dorms with bunk-beds? - Philip McAllister, Coventry
Is it not appropriate to call a general election now and give the voters the chance to rid themselves of MPs who they no longer trust? - Barry Wilkins-Syston, Leicestershire
I have to manage on a small pension and incapacity benefit and mobility, in total 18k (had a liver transplant 10 years ago). I struggle at that and the Department of Work and Pensions keep trying to stop that. Perhaps I should become an MP? Suggest you outline to your viewers the steps and time frame needed in order for normal folk to become an MP? - Andrew Hall, Pontefract
Is anyone going to resign? - Yakoub Islam, Huddersfield
Join the debate
Take part in the discussion now on Jon Snow's blog: Snowblog.
