Our two MPs claimed £1.17 million in allowances and expenses while representing the area in parliament during the past five years, new figures have revealed.

Royston Crow: Andrew Lansley and Sir Oliver Heald's expenses claims during the last parliament.Andrew Lansley and Sir Oliver Heald's expenses claims during the last parliament. (Image: Archant)

An analysis of claims for staff, office costs, travel and accommodation shows how both North East Herts MP Sir Oliver Heald and Andrew Lansley – who stepped down from his South Cambs seat before May’s general election – saw their bills rise by more than 25 per cent for 2014/15, when compared to four years earlier.

Meanwhile, latest figures released by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority show that both Sir Oliver and Mr Lansley registered increases for what they received in 2014/15 when compared to the previous 12 months.

In the year-long run up to the election, Mr Lansley’s claims rose by 12.7 per cent, while Sir Oliver’s claims were up by 9.6 per cent.

The rises did relate to increased staff costs, but both were higher than the national average rise of 1.6 per cent.

Royston Crow: Andrew Lansley and Sir Oliver Heald's expenses claims during the last parliament.Andrew Lansley and Sir Oliver Heald's expenses claims during the last parliament. (Image: Archant)

In the four years from 2011/12, both MPs saw rises in what they claimed annually – 40 per cent for Mr Lansley and 17 per cent for Sir Oliver.

For year-on-year comparisons, we have used figures for the last four years, rather than five, due to a change in how staff costs were reported. The totals do not include MPs’ basic salary, which was set at £67,000 but recently rose to £74,000 per year.

In total, Sir Oliver, claimed £606,000 and during the period in question saw rises in office, travel and staff costs. He was asked to comment on our findings, but failed to respond.

Mr Lansley, who has since been replaced by Heidi Allen, claimed £570,000 in five years, including an extra £40,000 on staff costs during his final year in office.

His annual travel costs also rose from around £2,000 to £6,000 during the five years.

Mr Lansley also did not respond to an email.

New MP Mrs Allen will be expected to publish her allowance and expenses claims every quarter.

Further afield, Mid Beds MP Nadine Dorries recouped £680,000, in her five-year term despite not claiming any accommodation costs for the final year. North East Beds MP Mr Burt claimed £666,000 and also saw a £31,000 increase in staff costs for the final year.

Hitchin and Harpenden MP Peter Lilley, who claimed £573,000 in the same period, saw his staff costs rise considerably during the last four years, from £110,000 in 2011/12, compared to £129,000 last year.

The £474,000 total of MP Stephen McPartland, who represents Stevenage, remained relatively small in comparison because he made no claims for travel or accommodation in the five years.

All MPs are entitled to claim expenses to aid their parliamentary work, and the investigation found no evidence among our local MPs of the sorts of claims that sparked scandal six years ago.

IPSA chief executive Marcial Boo said: “As the regulator of the public funds that go to MPs, IPSA ensures that taxpayers’ money is used transparently, and that MPs are appropriately resourced to carry out their parliamentary functions.”