By political editor Paul Francis

Kent MPs face sacking members of their families under sweeping reforms to expenses and allowances unveiled today - including a ban on claiming for mortgages and employing relatives.

The proposals, some of which have been widely leaked in recent days, were outlined in detail by Sir Christopher Kelly, whose committee on standards in public life was asked to carry out a review in the wake of the expenses scandal.

There will be a ban on mortgage claims, which will be phased out after a transitional period. MPs will be expected to rent homes or stay in hotel accommodation.

MPs’ employing relatives will also be gradually phased out.

Read Paul's blog on Kelly's package here>>>

Generous resettlement grants for MPs who voluntarily step down will also be stopped - but not before the next general election. In future MPs will get eight weeks' pay instead - under the current system some long-serving MPs can get up to £64,000.

In another key recommendation, the new Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) will have the power to determine the pay and pensions of MPs as well as their expenses.

Several Kent MPs are likely to be affected by the new measures and some have already signalled their unhappiness about a ban on employing relatives.

But Canterbury MP Julian Brazier, who will have to sack his wife Kate after 22 years working as his secretary for two-days a week, said Parliament needed to accept the proposals and move on.

“I think it is a sensible and well-balanced package. The only thing I am sad about is that at the end of the next Parliament, Kate will have to stop working for me.

"But one has to accept that there has been a number of revelations about MPs’ relatives and I am afraid that spouses and others who have given good value and worked very hard are suffering because the public is understandably very angry.”

“A number of people have abused the system and the rest of us are paying the price.”

Thanet North MP Roger Gale faces having to sack his wife Suzy, who has worked for him in his constituency office for 27 years.

He said: “I don’t think Mr Kelly lives in the real world. We’re being sacrificed on the altar of public opinion. This is civil service populism mixed with party political populism, and it’s a cheap shot.”