The Kelly Report is irritating MPs again. The chatter this morning... MPs whose local station is within 60 minutes of Parliament will be banned from claiming any financial assistance for a second home. Others will wave mortgage interest claims goodbye, and be given an option of claiming for rent instead. MPs will also be banned from employing family members. On the face of it... all very sensible, and proper closure on the lucrative property investment sideline MPs have been enjoying and the voters haven't. But is this a case of cutting off one's nose to spite one's face? Paying MPs' rent will almost certainly cost us more. The cost of employing outsiders to work odd hours - and providing them statutory working conditions - may well cost us more, too. On the former... why not buy up enough London property, now, while it's as affordable as it's been in some time, so the State can turn landlord, instead?

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