Western Daily Press: Norris tops West MPs expenses table

Labour Mp Dan Norris claimed the fourth highest expenses bill in the Commons at more than £172,000, official figures published yesterday showed.

The amount the Wansdyke MP received for costs such as travel, London housing and postage was almost £60,000 more than fellow West MP David Davies.

The Parliamentary data showed Bristol East MP Kerry McCarthy, Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury), Oliver Letwin (West Dorset) and David Laws (Yeovil) also claimed well above the average sum of £135,813.

The total bill for all MPs rose to £87.6 million, around five per cent up on the previous year, and one outspoken critic said they should be ashamed of the above-inflation increase.

Mr Norris's expenses and allowances included more than £87,000 for staffing costs, £20,558 for stationery and £8,534 for travel.

The MP, who was the 13th highest claimer last year, said: "There are two areas that are higher than normal for MPs, postage and staff cover costs.

"The postage is down to the child protection booklet I wrote on bullying.   

"I've had 50,000 requests for it and when someone asks me for a copy, I send them one.   

Excellent value for money   

"The success of the booklet has been absolutely phenomenal, I'm very proud of it. If people don't include a stamped envelope I can't write back to them to ask for one because it would defeat the object. Postage costs will remain high in the near future because of the booklet.

"The other area of cost was to pay for cover for staff sickness."   

Some West MPs were first elected in the 2005 General Election, meaning they had relatively big increases, as they did not serve a full 12 months in the previous financial year.

They include Ms McCarthy, 45th in the list this year, compared with 332 in 2005-06, and South Swindon MP Anne Snelgrove.   

Hereford Liberal Democrat MP Paul Keetch and Tory Westbury MP Dr Andrew Murrison both claimed less this year than for the previous 12 months.

Monmouth Tory MP Mr Davies, who was ranked 593 and claimed £113,376, received less than £3,000 for stationery, and under £55,000 for staff, much lower than the maximum allowed.

The biggest overall claim was from International Development Minister Shahid Malik, at £185,421, including £21,266 on postage, on top of his £59,686 MP salary and pension.

The lowest claimer once again was Philip Hollobone (Con, Kettering) with just £44,551, followed by veteran Labour left-winger Dennis Skinner (Bolsover) with £67,891.

Matthew Elliott, of the TaxPayers' Alliance pressure group, said: "Families are struggling to pay higher tax bills whilst MPs are spending more and more of our money on themselves each year.

"No wonder voters have little respect for politicians when they see so many MPs with their snouts in the trough."   

But North Devon Lib Dem MP Nick Harvey, spokesman for the committee that oversees expenses, insisted British voters got "excellent value for money" from representatives.

"As well as playing a vital role in the House of Commons in debates, law making and scrutiny, MPs have to undertake frequent journeys between the constituency and Westminster and elsewhere," he said.

All the payments were subject to "careful control and scrutiny", said Mr Harvey, whose £145,767 claim put him 160th in the list.

MPs for seats outside central London can claim up to £22,110 a year for staying away from their main home to carry out their Parliamentary duties. The others can take advantage of a London supplement of £2,712.

Office costs are reimbursed up to £20,400 and MPs enjoy a mileage rate of 40p a mile for the first 10,000 miles and 25p a mile thereafter.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown - still Chancellor during the period in question - claimed £135,525, £7,860 less than Tory rival David Cameron.

Former PM Tony Blair, who was in office through the period, claimed £97,084.