MPs claim 80 million in expenses

MPs claimed more than 80 million in allowances and expenses last year, according to new figures received under the freedom of information act.

13:15 28 October 2005

Members of parliament claimed more than 80 million in allowances and expenses last year, according to new figures received under the Freedom of Information Act.

The figure increased by nearly three million pounds (2,799,316) year-on-year and more than 23 million in the past three years.

Commons officials said the increase of 3.8 per cent was primarily due to increases in staff pay.

On average, MPs claimed nearly 122,677 each.

Tony Blair claimed 93,996, the majority of which went on staff salaries, while Gordon Brown, the chancellor, received 137,328.

Conservative party leader Michael Howard claimed 133,526, while the two contenders for his job, David Cameron and David Davis, received 123,454 and 126,685 respectively.

Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy's allowances totalled 135,457.

Labour MP for Croydon Central Geraint Davies claimed the most expenses in 2004-05 with 176,026.

He lost his seat in the May general election.

Following Mr Davies was Margaret Moran (Labour, Luton South) with 168,569, Angus Robertson (SNP, Moray) with 160,776, Ashok Kumar (Labour, Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland) with 158,844.

Labour's Terry Davis claimed the least expenses with 42,709, but he was in the Commons for only eight months of the year, having won the Birmingham Hodge Hill by-election in July 2004.

Labour MP for Bolsover Dennis Skinner claimed the least expenses during the full year, taking a total of 75,487. Another frugal user was Michael Portillo, the Tory Kensington and Chelsea MP, who received just 76,947.

MPs receive a basic salary of 57,485 and a pension on top of allowances and expenses.