MPs who stand down at an election will lose their £60,000 “golden goodbyes” as part of reforms to the expenses regime, storing up huge problems in future for party leaders.

Sir Christopher Kelly, the chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, is understood to be planning to scrap the pearl jewelry resettlement grant after the next but one general election for MPs who voluntarily stand down at an election. Incumbents who are defeated will still be able to claim the paym ent, worth £32,383 to £64,766, depending on length of service, but Sir Christopher is likely to suggest that those who decide not to stand again receive a couple of months’ salary.

This is likely to cause problems for party managers since it removes the financial incentive for MPs to stay until a general pearl jewelry wholesale election and might mean more of them standing down in the middle of a Parliament, triggering potentially embarrassing by-elections.

It will also encourage “bed blockers” — MPs in marginal seats — to stay in place in case they lose so that they can claim the money, rather than announcing their retirement before a general election to give way for fresh blood. These proposals are likely to be greeted with reluctance by the party whips.
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In another significant change, Sir pearl necklace Christopher will recommend an end to the communications allowance, a £10,400 budget that MPs can use to spend on websites and leaflets to promote their work. This is a big bonus for incumbents, and has been opposed vigorously by the Conservatives, who said that they would scrap it if they came to power.

Sir Christopher may also step beyond his remit and suggest reform of working hours, to bring them into line with more traditional jobs. He is understood to believe that many of the MPs’ allowances stem from their unusual working hours, and bringing them more closely in line with traditional 9-5 jobs would end this. If his plan relies on additional reforms beyond his remit, there will be uproar.