Britain to curb lawmakers' perks after scandal

By Keith Weir

LONDON (Reuters) - Leaders of Britain's main political parties backed plans on Wednesday to curb perks for lawmakers after a scandal over lavish expense claims shocked taxpayers and undermined public trust in parliament.

Under the proposals, an independent regulator would set pay and pension levels rather than allowing members of parliament (MPs) effectively to regulate themselves.

Following a series of high-profile abuses, MPs would be barred from employing their own relatives at the taxpayers' expense and claiming back mortgage costs on second homes.

The shake-up is designed to assuage public anger after disclosures that MPs in recession-hit Britain clawed back the cost of everything from pet food to cleaning out a moat.

A general election is due by next June and the three main parties fear that disgruntled voters will switch to fringe parties or back independent candidates in protest at the antics of MPs.

The opposition Conservatives are forecast to defeat ruling Labour in the election and return to power for the first time since 1997. However, the expenses scandal has added an additional element of uncertainty to the outcome.

At least 100 MPs from the 646-seat parliament are expected to step down at the next election following bad publicity about their expenses.