The House of Commons has been paying thousands of pounds in tax for Speaker John Bercow and senior officials to live in grace-and-favour homes.
Use of parliament’s prestigious residences has been classed as a personal taxable benefit by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
But for at least the past four years the Commons has agreed to meet liabilities, which cover running costs and council tax, with public money.
The staff make a “contribution” of a few hundred pounds a year each, although it is not clear whether the Speaker does.
Protracted negotiations with HMRC also now seem to have left Mr Bercow’s residence exempt from tax altogether as while he is housed by the Commons, he is paid direct from government coffers.
The Speaker’s office has declined to clarify whether he still incurs a tax liability.
