How about this for an idea; as a significant number of our elected representatives have been having a few snags with their expenses why don't we let them join in on JPA? I thought this was such a good idea that I petitioned Gordon at No 10 suggesting that this could solve all their (expense related) problems. (Full text of petition below)
Unfortunately the No 10 office feels that this is a subject that is not an "appropriate channel for an e petition". I was surprised at this as the JPA currently provides for complex allowances including multiple residences, duty travel and London weighting. I am also sure the rigorous audit arrangements enjoyed by all members of the armed forces would be welcomed by ministers.
Surely the MoD could squeeze onto the system the 600 odd elected members? Just imagine on the OJAR form "unit/establishment/ship/constituency" If it can work for senior Officers, especially those required to operate in a political arena, why not ministers?
Hi,
I'm sorry to inform you that your petition has been rejected.
Your petition was classed as being in the following categories:
* Issues for which an e-petition is not the appropriate
channel
Further information: This is a matter for direct communication
with Parliament. www.parliament.uk |Home page
If you wish to edit and resubmit your petition, please follow
the following link:
Create a new petition | Number10.gov.uk
You have four weeks in which to do this, after which your
petition will appear in the list of rejected petitions.
Your petition reads:
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to: 'Introduce
Military Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) for Ministers
expenses'
The Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) is a computer based
system introduced to all 3 armed services to provide every
aspect of a serviceman's personal administration.
Unfortunately, regarding expenses incurred on duty JPA has
gained notoriety across all three services due to many factors
including the rigour of required audits as well the inflexible
nature of permitted payments. For example servicemen and women
in the UK are restricted to a daily subsistence of £27.01p for
food, any excess results in a claim violation and audit
involving examination of actual receipts and full justification
of why the expense was required. All before the capped amount
of £27.01 is paid.
Surely with ministers seeking to claim justifiable expenses
having recently been embarassed by what they thought were valid
claims the MoD could include the relatively small number of
elected members to be administered by the JPA. They could then
enjoy the full rigour of claim assessment currently experienced
by servicemen and women.