MPs’ expenses higher than before scandal

The bill for MPs’ expenses rose by more than 7 per cent last year to £98m, according to new figures.

The sum paid out by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) for personal costs and running offices was up from £91.5m in 2011-12.

Spending is now higher than in the run-up to the expenses scandal of 2009. Most of the increase was down to larger staffing budgets.

The figures released by the parliamentary watchdog show that the largest claims in 2012-13 were from Ian Paisley (DUP, North Antrim £100,204), Alistair Carmichael (Lib Dem, Orkney and Shetland, £82,878), David Morris (Con, Morecambe and Lunesdale, £75,902) and Debbie Abrahams (Lab, Oldham East and Saddleworth, £74,615).