Ministers line their pockets as landlords while claiming public money to pay their own rent
Eight of Boris Johnson’s cabinet ministers are leeching money from the public to pay their own rent while acting as landlords themselves, renting out properties to others.
Last year they claimed a total of £145,838 back from taxpayers for properties they live in while in London.
While there is nothing illegal in what these people are doing, let us remember that they belong to a party that has consistently filibustered attempts to reform the private accommodation rental sector.
So, for example, Tories talked out a private members’ bill to prevent so-called “revenge” evictions (and the MPs doing the talking were themselves landlords).
And the same landlords also blocked plans to force landlords to ensure their properties are fit for human habitation.
So the following people are living it up, having co-operated in forcing tenants across the country to put up with substandard living conditions or be evicted.
Here’s the list:
Defence secretary Ben Wallace claimed £27,550 for rent in 2018/19 but lets out a flat in south-west London.
Minister without portfolio and Tory Party chairman James Cleverly billed taxpayers £14,400 while letting out a house in Lewisham, south-east London – just seven miles from Westminster.
Northern Powerhouse minister Jake Berry claimed £13,050 for rent while getting income from three houses in Anglesey.
Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns claimed £18,900 for rent but let a property in Cardiff to tenants.
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack claimed £11,310 while earning income from two cottages in his Dumfries and Galloway constituency.
Security Minister Brandon Lewis charged £21,795 while renting out his home in Essex.
Attorney General Geoffrey Cox charged £22,680 while letting a property in London and farmland in west Devon.
And Chief Whip Mark Spencer claimed £16,153 for hotels while pocketing rent on a farm.
On top of their £79,468 MPs’ salaries, ministers receive at least £31,680 for extra responsibilities.
Source: Eight ministers in Boris Johnson’s cabinet lining their pockets as landlords – Mirror Online
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B
Rotten, stinking Tory corruption.
bunch of sleazy crooks
How many other M.P.s, of all stripes, are doing the same thing? Surely, that’s more interesting, given the Expenses scandal and the fact that none of the, in the House, seemed capable of following simple instructions. What is interesting, however, is the clear conflict of interest that appears to have gone unchallenged. Again, how many other M.P.s are guilty of this? It’s fun to point out the moral ineptitude of the present Cabinet but I find it of not much use, if others are equally as guilty and no spotlight is thrown upon them. I am certain that those who were mentioned are not alone on their legal misdemeanours.
We can only report on what we find out. If others are committing such offences, they’ll be uncovered in due time. I would not want your comments about the possibility of others acting immorally to overshadow the fact that we know these people certainly are.
Certainly not; throw the book at them; I just can’t help feeling that it’s Cabinet bashing, like they’re the only guilty ones when, in truth, it’s probably rife throughout the House, as it was when such behaviour was first made public. What this has highlighted, for me, is that nothing has changed. Shame, as I have said, before, is an antiquated concept; these people are devoid of it.
I do wish I had time to research this kind of thing thoroughly.