European Parliament to handle MEPs' travel and staff allowances

In a bid to curb abuse, it will be the European Parliament that would manage travel and staff allowances in the coming legislature instead of MEPs.

Faced by allegations that MEPs were siphoning money into their pockets and, especially, in the light of the expenses scandal that tarnished the reputation of the British House of Commons, the EP is determined to exercise full control over allowances.

It will put in place measures ensuring all its members are more accountable on the way they spend the €425,000 annual financial package (€2.1 million in five years), which includes a monthly salary of €7,665 and hundreds of thousands of euros in perks and allowances (see table).

The MEP statute, approved last year, will see the five Maltese MEPs elected on June 6 (the sixth runner up will also be elected if/when the Lisbon Treaty is approved by Ireland) receive a 540 per cent increase in salary from July when compared to the amount the present MEPs have been receiving.

MEPs will be banned from employing relatives in their personal offices paid by EU taxpayers' money. Several MEPs, particularly the British, employed their wives and children in their constituency offices or in Brussels to boost the family income.

MEPs would still be able to choose their staff within the budget set by Parliament. However, accredited assistants based in Brussels will start being managed directly by the EP administration, under employment conditions for non-permanent EU staff. Assistants based in MEPs' member states will be handled by qualified paying agents in order to guarantee the proper tax and social security arrangements.

In 2009, the maximum monthly amount available for all the costs is €17,540 per MEP.

After the election, MEPs will be entitled to a two-third reimbursement on all medical expenses, including their families', and to have two fully-equipped offices in Brussels and Strasbourg.