EXPENSES claims by SE Cambs MP Sir Jim Paice have gone up by 53 per cent in two years.
Figures published by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority show that, in the 2012/13 financial year, Sir Jim claimed £32,466.19, compared with a claim of £21,203.85 in 2010/11.
NE Cambs MP Steve Barclay claimed £43,826.60 in the last financial year. His claim was a 10 per cent reduction on 2010/11, when he claimed £48,325.09.
Among Sir Jim’s claims on the public purse for 2012/13 was £11.35 for lunch for four intern staff and £162 to cover the cost of the congestion charge in London.
About £150 was claimed for food and drink in Parliament during late-night sittings and £650 was claimed to cover utility bills.
Sir Jim also put in a claim for £5.70 for catching a bus. All claims were checked and approved by the standards authority.
Among Mr Barclay’s claims was £24.60 to cover the cost of tea and coffee for MPs in a meeting with the fire service and £9.78 for a special delivery letter.
He spent £122 on parking at King’s Lynn station and £42.90 on train tickets for his staff to travel into London.
Mr Barclay also claimed £310.32 to cover the cost of road mileage clocked up by his staff.
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