A recent analysis of parliamentary records has revealed that over 100 peers have claimed almost £1.3 million between them despite having not spoken in the House of Lords for over nine months. A report released by the Electoral Reform Society showed that of the 800 peers in the Lords, 15 per cent (115) have failed to contribute in a singular debate between June 2016 and April 2017. While this is not an issue in itself, the same members went on to claim an average of £11,091 each.
As per British Parliament norms, peers can claim as much as £300 per day for turning up to the upper chamber in one of the debating rooms. They however, do not have to contribute or vote to get the allowance. The report said it analysed 779 peers' voting, speaking and expenses records between June 2016 and 27 April 2017, concluding that £4,086,000 was claimed by 277 peers who spoke five or fewer times in the last one year. £7,321,000 was claimed by 394 peers who spoke 10 times or fewer this past year, while 131 peers who spoke and voted 10 times or fewer claimed £658,000.
The group warned of a growing culture of “something for nothing” within the Lords. Among the worst offenders, as cited by a media report was allegedly Lord Swraj Paul, 86, Indian-born steel magnate with a supposed net worth of £2 billion. He is said to have claimed £38,100 and participated in only seven votes and made two spoken contributions. As despicable as it is to see a respected member of the Asian community verbally shot down to something called “lobby-fodder lords” or “couch potato peers”, we couldn't help but wonder exactly what use is the allowance to someone with a gigantic thriving steel industry to his name?
It is no secret that every time a member of the Asian or other ethnic community is exposed by the British media which makes a field day out of it, and marks us out. This isn't the first time a representative of our society has brought us more shame than fame, and it most certainly won't be the last. Speaking to The Telegraph, Lord Paul, who is cited to have claimed over £24,000 and voted less than 10 times, said, “The payment that I get is for attending the House...”
Other peers to have allegedly taken undue advantage as per reports are Conservative Party life peer Baronness Shreela Flather, 83, first Asian woman to receive a peerage, who claimed £37,932, participated in no votes and made 21 spoken contributions. Baroness Haleh Afshar, 73, who claimed £34,966, participated in three votes and made 19 spoken contributions, and Lord John Laird, 73, a non-affiliated peer who claimed £48,279, voted on two occasions, and made no spoken contributions. The thought ' There is enough on this earth for man's need, but not man's greed' fits aptly in this situation.
