 MPs claimed an average �122,677 |
MPs claimed expenses and allowances of more than �80m last year - equivalent to �122,677 each - figures from Westminster officials show. The �80.8m received in 2004-05 was an increase of �2.8m on the previous year.
Tony Blair claimed a total of �93,996, while Tory leader Michael Howard received �133,526 and Lib Dem counterpart Charles Kennedy �135,457.
Labour's Geraint Davies, who lost his Croydon Central seat in May's election, claimed the most of all MPs - �176,026.
'Proud to invest'
Mr Davies, who now runs his own travel firm, put his bill down to the size of his former constituency.
He said: "Somebody has got to do the most work. I am proud it was me.
 | TOP FIVE CLAIM AMOUNTS Geraint Jones - �176,026 Margaret Moran - 168,569 Angus Robertson - �160,776 Ashok Kumar - �158,844 Peter Duncan - �158,032 |
"I am glad I invested my time and energy and allowances in serving my constituency. It clearly seems to me that this shows I was one of the most hard-working MPs in Britain."
The MP who claimed the least money during the period was Labour's Terry Davis, who stood down from his Birmingham Hodge Hill seat in May.
The two remaining Tory leadership contenders, David Cameron and David Davis, received �123,454 and �126,685 respectively.
The overall 3.8% increase in MPs' expenses was mainly due to increases in staff pay, Commons officials said.
| BOTTOM FIVE Terry Davis - �42,709 Iain Wright - �61,502 Dennis Skinner - �75,487 Michael Portillo - �76,947 David Winnick - �78,909 |
Allowances and expenses received by MPs come on top of their basic salary - �57,485 in the period covered - and pension.
Commons officials say the money is vital to enable MPs to carry out their jobs on behalf of their constituents.
It is only the second time the allowances have been published.
Those who do not live near Parliament can claim for a second home in London.
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Those who live in inner London are not entitled to the allowance but they can claim a �1,618 supplement.
Incidental expenses of up to �19,325 a year are allowed, mainly for office costs.
Staffing allowance of between �66,458 and �77,534 are also permitted.
Travel, stationery and postage and computer equipment are also covered.
The total amount claimed by MPs has increased by more �23m in three years.
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