Just one Scots MSP claims 20p per mile allowance for cycling to Holyrood

gazza_d wrote:

In NHS I get the same 20p per mile. If I do any business miles by bike then I claim them, not for the "generous" money, but to show that at least someone is cycling.

I actually get shafted slightly as the online claim tool only considers shortest driving routes, even for cycling,. These are often a few miles shorter but by bike can be longer or a lot more risky

The claim for mileage is based on the journey undertaken in the course of business. Perhaps the way to approach your claim is to prove that the mileage was quicker and safer than an alternative route. The expense policy is just a policy and is set-up by the NHS to avoid internal abuses. The policy should reflect both the safety and business needs. After all, if you were to use a taxi for the same journey you have no control on the route they take so how does that differ to your bike expedition.

Thelma Viaduct wrote:

I don't get expenses in my job. If they don't like it, get another job. I'll do an MPs 'job' equally as badly for half their salary. £1.6Tn in debt we are, due to their shit performance in their 'job'.

Eh? No one's saying they don't like their job, though it sounds like you don't.

Thelma Viaduct wrote:

I don't get expenses in my job. If they don't like it, get another job. I'll do an MPs 'job' equally as badly for half their salary. £1.6Tn in debt we are, due to their shit performance in their 'job'.

You seem to be mixing a lot of things in there. MPs expenses didn't get us into government debt, but it hardly speaks well of our governments efficiency and virtue.

Mungecrundle wrote:

I was somewhat off topic. I was thinking more about how the tax man would come down on us plebs if our employers paid our mortgages, more than £4 a week towards home office costs, entertainment, subsistence above the paltry HMRC daily meal allowance, overnight accommodation when within 20 miles of home, duck hoses, moat clearances, decorating etc etc.

More likely hmrc would come down on your employer for signing off ludicrous expenses. It's the employer at fault there, not the employee. The employee can claim for whatever the policy permits them to, but it's the employee who is liable for the policy.

vonhelmet wrote:

Mungecrundle wrote:

I was somewhat off topic. I was thinking more about how the tax man would come down on us plebs if our employers paid our mortgages, more than £4 a week towards home office costs, entertainment, subsistence above the paltry HMRC daily meal allowance, overnight accommodation when within 20 miles of home, duck hoses, moat clearances, decorating etc etc.

More likely hmrc would come down on your employer for signing off ludicrous expenses. It's the employer at fault there, not the employee. The employee can claim for whatever the policy permits them to, but it's the employee who is liable for the policy.

Not entirely true. If you are paid cash or your employer pays cash for you then you are subject to tax and NIC on those expenses. Claims for legitimate business expenses are required, though if your company has a dispensation (I.e. Proof that they are processing expenses correctly) you do not need to make that claim.

There would be not legitimate claim for your mortgage or payments above the approved subsistence and home working rates and so you would be taxed on them. If you made an incorrect claim you would be subject to penalties and interest (if HMRC sussed it, or you voluntarily amended it).

Stephan Matthiesen wrote:

The headline is quite misleading. First of all, it should be "MSP" not "MP". More importantly, the article is not about numbers who "cycle to work" but who claim expenses for cycling. Several others usually cycle and are known for it, but apparently they don't claim expenses.

Still, even though the real numbers will be a bit better, it's certainly not enough. But the key is how many MSPs also support investment in active travel. There are still too many MSPs who consider transport only in terms of cars; others may support cycling but see it as part sports or tourism, not "real" transport.

Spot on. I'm actually not too sure of the 'employment status' of MPs. Are they treated like Barristers (quasi-self-employed), or employees of the State?! Journeys which are to or from your home to a regular place of work are not allowable for employees. This includes any place of work that you are required to attend regularly.....so I wouldn't expect to see loads of commuting claims. The problem with cycling to business meetings etc. Is that you don't know if there is a place you can lock your bike up, showers or if the weather will behave. I commute on my bike everyday, but would likely use public transport for a business meeting.

Mungecrundle wrote:

I have no problem with the expenses and allowances claimed by MPs, it's part of the generous remuneration package associated with the job.

Just as long as they get treated the same by HMRC for benefits in kind, get a P11D at the end of the year, and pay the correct amount of tax just like the rest of us. (Yeah, right!)

Reimbursement of travel expenses to work away from your usual place of work is non-taxable.

vonhelmet wrote:

Mungecrundle wrote:

I have no problem with the expenses and allowances claimed by MPs, it's part of the generous remuneration package associated with the job.

Just as long as they get treated the same by HMRC for benefits in kind, get a P11D at the end of the year, and pay the correct amount of tax just like the rest of us. (Yeah, right!)

Reimbursement of travel expenses to work away from your usual place of work is non-taxable.

20p/mile is the HMRC allowable rate for cycling expenses and so would not be treated as a taxable perk if any employer did it. Therefore I am not sure why the article refers to this as a 'generous' rate

It's slightly more complicated than that though as their work is representing their constituents which happens in the constituency. They also attend meetings of parliament for which they get paid expenses in the same way you would if you had to go somewhere to attend a meeting for your work.