COMMONS Speaker Michael Martin, tonight announced that a "robust" set of measures had been agreed to reform the allowances system.
Mr Martin, who announced he is to step down on June 21 earlier today, spoke to a packed House of Commons.
The Speaker said MPs would no longer be allowed to claim for items such as furniture, household goods, cleaning and stamp duty on their second homes.
Mr Martin said MPs selling property had to be "completely open" with the tax authorities in relation to capital gains tax, and that mortgage interest claims would be capped at £1,250 per month.
The Speaker said the department of resources would be forced to tighten up administration of claims and apply a clear test of "reasonableness". All future authorised payments would be published on line quarterly.
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