Almost 2000 hits to National Assembly’s expenses log in first 24 hours
The new online public log of Assembly Members’ expenses claims launched yesterday received nearly 2000 hits in its first 24 hours.
The system, which went live at 9am on June 29th, places Wales at the forefront of transparency in terms of Members’ expenses.
The site can be searched either by Assembly Member, allowance type, or date of claim and allows users to see exactly what their Members are claiming at the click of a mouse.
At present, only claims for the financial year 2008/09 are available, but from October the log will be updated on a monthly basis. From the autumn, claims will be published every month, three months in arrears.
“This system was set up in order for us to be even more open and candid with the people of Wales than ever before,” said Presiding Officer, Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas AM.
“The volume of visits to the site demonstrates this transparency in action and we hope it will enable the National Assembly to maintain its integrity as the primary democratic institution for Wales.”
The log can be viewed at www.assemblywales.org/allowances