Jim Hood MP (Lanark & Hamilton East) in the wake of yet another row over MP’s second home allowance is calling for the end of the controversial ACA allowance. Writing in his weekly blog he said:
“The furore around the behaviour of MP’s is once again on the tabloid front pages and in the magazine gossip columns. Is it any wonder that people’s confidence in the political system is at an all time low when we see repeated exposes of MP’s behaving badly. The MP’s second home allowance (ACA) that allows some MP’s to buy homes in London or in their constituency is outdated, unsustainable and must end now. The Scottish Parliament has grasped that nettle and the House of Commons must do likewise”
In the 2008 Sir John Baker Review into MP’s pay the MP said “The ACA allowance is no longer sustainable and needs a root and branch reform. At the very least there should be a maximum limit to the amount of capital interest payable from the ACA. eg 40-50% of the ACA total”.