Should MPs employ wives and husbands?
Updated on 25 October 2009
MPs wives and husbands will be under scrutiny next because Christopher Kelly's report is likely to ban them from their spouses' offices.
Following the full audit of expenses by Sir Thomas Legg a retrospective cap was placed on claims for gardening and cleaning at MPs' second homes.
Sir Christopher is the chairman of the committee on standards in public life and his report is due to be published in ten days and is expected to suggest MPs are forced to sack any members of their families on their payrolls.
Currently around 200 MPs employ family members, putting an average £33,000 a year into family coffers.
The recommendations have sparked a revolt among spouse employees who complain
they are being unfairly targeted by the Commons expenses scandal.
Some have consulted lawyers ahead of the report being published and others have registered their complaints to the Equality and Human Rights Commission alleging discrimination.
A handful have suggested they will defy a ban by swapping jobs with one another.
