Essex MPs notch up £849,458 expenses

9:00am Saturday 27th October 2007

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SOUTH Essex MPs feature the middle ranking as far as expenses are concerned, new figures have revealed.

The highest claim in south Essex was £152,937 by Castle Point Tory MP Bob Spink, who revealed his figures two weeks ahead of the official publication by Parliament.

This is still £30,000 less than the highest spending MP, Dewsbury Labour member Shahid Malik.

Dr Spink said his figures reflected extensive travel across Europe, defending British Sovereign interests.

He also said travel expenses, particularly by car, were on the high side as trains were not generally running when he was travelling late at night.

Dr Spink also described office expenses as an essential part of his work as a constituency MP working on behalf of everyone in Castle Point.

Billericay Conservative MP John Baron had expenses totalling £151,050, making him the next highest spender.

He said: "We get something like 50 letters and telephone calls a day as well as e-mails which have to be answered. To provide the best service as a constituency MP you have to employ staff and it is easy to forget by far the largest amount of an MP's expenses goes on staff salaries."

The 2005/6 claim by Rochford and Southend East Tory James Dudd- ridge was the next highest locally at £143,809.

Mr Duddridge is currently away from the country on parliamentary business and could not be reached.

Southend West Cons- ervative, David Amess, who was a high spender locally last year, is now in the lower level of costs at £137,781.

He was away from the office when the Echo called and was not available for comment.

Basildon Labour MP Angela Smith, who is also parliamentary secretary to Prime Minister Gordon Brown claimed a total of £136,038.

She said: "I am always concerned when these are said to be our expenses as none of the money is going into my pocket.

"There is the rent of a constituency office and staff so I can do the best possible for those who live in the constituency.

"Postage levels may be high but this is a large constituency in terms of population and I try and do the best possible job for all my constituents and answer or deal with problems as quickly as possible."

The lowest local spender was Rayleigh Tory MP Mark Francois with a total of £127,843.

He said: "There were rumours earlier this year that MPs would no longer be publishing their expenses. That is false."

The shadow minister for Europe added: "I hope I provide good value for money for my constituents.

"I will continue to do the best I can for them in the constituency and in Westminster."