One Rule for MPs, One Rule for Others!

I do some work for a local university and the week after MP's new expenses rules came in it seems HMRC are clamping down on others. Here are some of the changes:

- Social events and working lunches (including those provided by catering dept) are now classed as taxable benefits, and will result in a tax liability to the university or the employee attending the event. For example:
When attending a meeting over lunch, the lunch is considered a taxable benefit.

- Taking staff out for lunch as a recognition is a taxable benefit.

- Lunch provided by catering for an interview panel is a taxable benefit
- Unreceipted expenses are taxable benefits.
- Takeaway pizza's for staff who work weekends are taxable.
- Retirement parties are taxable.
- Unreceipted expenses as rounded figures are taxable, as are unreceipted expense claims for food over the maximum daily amount (lunch £6.50, Breakfast £4.50, coffee/tea £2.50, dinner £8.00 - these amounts are being reviewed).

If this applies to public sector staff why not MP's!