Expense Claims

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7970731.stm

I'm glad a story has come along while doing this course about 'bad' behaviour from an M.P. (and in this case her huband who is also her Parliamentary Secretary). Jaqui Smith has claimed for two pornographic movies on her expenses which had been ordered by her husbamd. She is apparently furious over the matter and claims she did not know about them (which I find hard to beleive). I think she is probably more angry that her husband has been watching porn! Obviously the genberal public are angry at Smith for the claim as by putting them on expesnes effectively the taxpayer is paying for them.

It has got me thinking however about people who claim for things on expenses which they shouldn't. Petrol, stays in hotels, hire cars, trips abroad are all the usual things that go on expenses. I know someone who puts his daily newspaper on expenses. Should we question if there is anytingn wrong with that? For the person claiming it is OK as they are getting something for nothing, however this cost has to be paid from somewhere - in many cases by increasing prices and making the customers foot the bill.