A much-anticipated report into expenses that MPs can claim has been published. The report by Sir Christopher Kelly into the Westminster allowance system was announced in March, but it was thrust into the centre of the biggest political storm in recent years following leaked reports detailing details of MPs' claims in May.
In its introduction to the report, the committee said there had been "a profound crisis of public confidence in the integrity of MPs" and warned that restoring trust would be a slow process.
"The public are understandably angry about a major systemic failure in an area where they are justified in expecting the highest standards," it said.
"MPs have been able to misuse for personal gain an expenses regime which was intended simply to reimburse them for the additional costs necessarily incurred in performing their jobs.
"Anger has been fuelled further by a perception that ordinary citizens are subject to restrictions in their own working lives which were not being applied in the same way to MPs, and by the reluctance of the House of Commons as a whole to recognise the need for reform until forced to do so."
The report made a number of key recommendations including a ban on MPs employing family members at the taxpayer's expense, and a ban on MPs being able to claim mortgage interest payments. It recommends that it should no longer be possible for MPs to make capital gains at public expense, making the controversial practice of 'flipping' property no longer possible.
In future, MPs will only be able to claim for rent or hotel costs, while the expenses scheme should only cover council tax, utility bills, telephone line rental and calls, security, contents insurance and removals at the beginning and end of a tenancy. The costs of cleaning, gardening, furnishings and other items would not be claimable.
Resettlement grants for MPs who voluntarily step down will be stopped, and MPs will receive eight weeks pay instead.
The new Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority will have the power to determine the pay and pensions of MPs as well as their expenses.
It also recommends an end to the practice of an MP also being a member of a devolved administration such as the Scottish Parliament
The chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, Sir Christopher Kelly, said that the proposals were "fair and reasonable" and would bring Westminster into line with other walks of life and other legislatures. He said that they should be implemented "in full" by the time of the next Parliament and urged party leaders to ensure they were.
However, he acknowledged that his wide-ranging proposals would mean "substantial change" for MPs and said that, where necessary, they should be phased in with a suitable period of transition.
MPs will debate the report at the House of Commons this afternoon. It is expected that the Speaker will urge them to adopt the proposals.
Watch coverage of the Kelly Report news conference in video >
Read the report in full here >
