MP claims expenses of £144,000 for year

MP Oliver Heald claimed £144,115 in expenses last year. And House of Commons figures reveal that more than half – £89,744 – was spent on staffing costs. The average expenses claimed by the 646 MPs in the Commons was £136,000. Speaking to The Crow, the N

MP Oliver Heald claimed £144,115 in expenses last year.

And House of Commons figures reveal that more than half - £89,744 - was spent on staffing costs.

The average expenses claimed by the 646 MPs in the Commons was £136,000.

Speaking to The Crow, the North-east Herts MP said: "I believe my expenses are in line with those of other MPs with a similar size of constituency."

He said his constituency - which covers Royston, Buntingford, Baldock and Letchworth as well as the surrounding villages - is "one of the largest in the Home Counties and by far the largest in Hertfordshire."

A portion of his expenses during the 12-month period was claimed when he was Shadow Secretary for Consititutial Affairs.

He lost his Shadow Cabinet role in Conservative Party leader David Cameron's re-shuffle, but he has since been appointed to the Commons Select Committee on Work and Pensions.

Mr Heald was once a minister at the Department for Social Security during the days of the last Conservative government.

Mr Heald claimed £17,972 for office running costs. Travelling during the year cost a total of £9,261, which included European travel expenses of £557.

In 2005-06, Mr Heald claimed £135,057 in expenses in 2004-05, £123,937.

- South Cambridgeshire MP Andrew Lansley, the Shadow Health Secretary, claimed expenses of £135,706.

His staffing costs were £84,368 - an increase from £68,589 in 2005-06.

Travelling expenses during the 12-month period were £5,916.