THE gravy train that is the House of Lords is back in the news after a new expenses scandal revealed that almost one in ten peers has failed to speak, sit on committees or submit any written questions, despite having claimed nearly £500,000 in expenses and allowances in the past year.
Research from the Electoral Reform Society (ERS) shows that nine of them trousered more than the average UK take-home pay, claiming a total of £271,313.
Today’s figures rebut House of Lords claims that most of these “silent peers” are working hard “behind the scenes” – nearly two thirds (64 per cent) of silent (non-speaking) peers are inactive in other key areas of Lords work.
The research comes ahead of key Lords report on reforming the House at the end of this month.
Scottish peers head the list with former Labour Scottish Office minister Lord John Kirkhill, claiming £43,896, and former Paisley Labour MP Baroness Irene Adams, who took home £41,287.
ERS chief executive, Darren Hughes, said: “Voters are sick of scandal after scandal – ones which stems from a total lack of accountability.
“What we need is a much smaller, fairly-elected upper house that the public can have faith in – and where voters can hold ineffective peers to account.
“This is the second expenses scandal revealed in just a month. Enough is enough. We need real reform – not tinkering around the edges. Let’s get on with it and give voters the revising chamber Britain needs.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel