AMs' value for money questioned

The review panel follows a row over AMs' pay rises in March Betsan's blog on AMs' expenses

The chairman of a panel examining the pay and expenses of assembly members in Wales has questioned whether some are value for money.

Sir Roger Jones said AMs prioritise constituency work, sometimes at the expense of law-making.

He was speaking on BBC Wales Dragon's Eye programme ahead of the panel's first public meeting in Llandudno.

Sir Roger suggested some AMs could be more effective in other work including scrutinising the assembly government.

He was asked whether AMs did work that was value for money.

"Some do, some more than others," he said.

"The work of the panel is to try and ensure value for money for the people of Wales and if we don't achieve that we have achieved nothing."

Sir Roger, who is also pro-chancellor of Swansea University, said AMs had four functions: establishing institutions, scrutinising the work of Government, law-making and constituency work.

"Now they probably do a reasonable job on constituency matters but the value lies in doing those other things, and I'm not sure we are getting that with the priority we need," he said.

REVIEW GROUP PANEL Sir Roger Jones, Swansea University pro-chancellor, pictured Dafydd Wigley, former Plaid Cymru leader Nigel Rudd, former chief executive, East Midlands Regional Assembly Jackie Nickson, HR manager, Opagus Group

Another public meeting is due to take place in south Wales in January.

The panel was set up after a controversial 8.3% pay rise for AMs earlier in the year.

Allowances

It has been gathering the views of the public about levels of pay and expenses.

One of the allowances likely to be examined entitles AMs from outside Cardiff to claim up to