We'll axe freebies loophole

Ministers to play fair and declare value of hospitality

- LIZZY BUCHAN

PLANS to tighten the rules on ministerial freebies have been revealed as the government tries to calm the storm over getting gifts worth thousands.

Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden yesterday announced a loophole that meant ministers did not need to declare the value of hospitality accepted as part of their role would be closed.

In 2015, then-Tory PM David Cameron introduced different rules on hospitality for ministers, and MPs and shadow ministers.

For ministers, details of free hospitality are released quarterly and do not include how much the gift was worth.