This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/6087202.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
MPs' expenses claims exceed £86m MPs' expenses claims exceed £86m
(30 minutes later)
MPs claimed almost £86.8m in expenses and allowances last year, an increase of nearly £6m on the previous year, House of Commons figures show.MPs claimed almost £86.8m in expenses and allowances last year, an increase of nearly £6m on the previous year, House of Commons figures show.
The 2005/06 payments - about £131,000 per MP - come on top of a basic salary of £59,686 and a pension.The 2005/06 payments - about £131,000 per MP - come on top of a basic salary of £59,686 and a pension.
Prime Minister Tony Blair claimed £87,342, with Tory leader David Cameron on £135,729 and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell taking £123,617.Prime Minister Tony Blair claimed £87,342, with Tory leader David Cameron on £135,729 and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell taking £123,617.
Meanwhile Chancellor Gordon Brown claimed £134,586. Meanwhile, Chancellor Gordon Brown claimed £134,586.
Winding upWinding up
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott was reimbursed for £115,013 and Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett for £132,996. Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott was reimbursed for £115,013 and Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett £132,996.
Part of this year's overall rise comes because the figures include £4m claimed by MPs who retired or lost their seats at the last general election.Part of this year's overall rise comes because the figures include £4m claimed by MPs who retired or lost their seats at the last general election.
This covered winding-up allowances for the unfinished casework they carried over.This covered winding-up allowances for the unfinished casework they carried over.
MPs claimed £80,844,465 altogether in 2004/05 - an average of about £122,000.MPs claimed £80,844,465 altogether in 2004/05 - an average of about £122,000.
It's not surprising people think politicians have got their snouts in the trough Matthew ElliottTaxPayers' Alliance
Up to £87,276 is available for salaries for researchers, secretaries and other staff.Up to £87,276 is available for salaries for researchers, secretaries and other staff.
Other allowances can be claimed for travel on parliamentary business, office costs, stationery, postage and computer equipment.Other allowances can be claimed for travel on parliamentary business, office costs, stationery, postage and computer equipment.
MPs representing constituencies outside central London can claim about £20,000 for the cost of staying near Parliament.MPs representing constituencies outside central London can claim about £20,000 for the cost of staying near Parliament.
Ministers whose London accommodation is paid for by the taxpayer, such as the prime minister in Downing Street, can receive the money for their constituency homes.Ministers whose London accommodation is paid for by the taxpayer, such as the prime minister in Downing Street, can receive the money for their constituency homes.
The Liberal Democrat MP for Lewes, Norman Baker, the BBC most of the expenses were justified. 'Better value'
The Liberal Democrat MP for Lewes, Norman Baker, told the BBC most of the expenses were justified.
He said: "It's actually better value than it is in many other countries such as America and most of the European countries.He said: "It's actually better value than it is in many other countries such as America and most of the European countries.
"Most of the money goes on staff salaries - that's included in there - our researchers, our constituency staff, our diary people and so on."Most of the money goes on staff salaries - that's included in there - our researchers, our constituency staff, our diary people and so on.
"There's also elements in there for our rent of our offices in the constituency, telephones, heating and so on and there's an element as well - which is the bit that's unregulated in my view properly - for the second home in London, where you can stay overnight if you're on parliamentary business.""There's also elements in there for our rent of our offices in the constituency, telephones, heating and so on and there's an element as well - which is the bit that's unregulated in my view properly - for the second home in London, where you can stay overnight if you're on parliamentary business."
Matthew Elliott, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance pressure group, said: "Politicians have forced families to budget hard by raising taxes, but politicians don't think the same rules apply to them personally and they continue to run up massive expense accounts.
"They also refuse to provide any detailed breakdown of their expenses so people have no idea what they're spending our money on.
"It's not surprising people think politicians have got their snouts in the trough."