Because we're well worth it

The total bill put in by West Sussex MPs Peter Bottomley, Tim Loughton, Howard Flight and Nick Gibb was 442,599, on top of the standard backbench salary each of 57,485 and a generous pension. Last year's figure was 439,107.

Worthing West MP Mr Bottomley, was the cheapest of the four with 80,390, and the lowest of all 16 Sussex MPs.

East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton's claim of 124,857 was the highest of the four. Arundel and South Downs MP Howard Flight spent 120,154 and Nick Gibb, MP for Bognor and Littlehampton, claimed 117,198.

Mr Loughton, who said he typically works an 80-hour week, told the Herald: "You can't get democracy on the cheap."

Details of MPs' allowances for the past three years were published for the first time last week.

Mr Bottomley said his costs were lower than his colleagues because he is married to Virginia Bottomley MP and shares many of his office and housing costs.

He said: "My figures were lower than I expected, and should be lower than many others for various reasons, including that I do not have particular national responsibilities and that I am married to another MP."

Virginia Bottomley claimed 110,775 in expenses last year.

As well as their standard salary, all MPs have an additional costs allowance, which reimburses them for necessary costs incurred when they have to stay away from their homes on parliamentary duty. Mr Loughton claimed 19,700, Mr Bottomley 15,298 and both Mr Flight and Mr Gibb claimed 19, 722.

Incidental Expenses Provision (IEP) covers accommodation for office or surgery use and equipment and supplies for the office. Mr Flight claimed 18,799. Mr Gibb claimed 12,439, Mr Bottomley 17,627 and Mr Loughton spent 18,793.

The total spending on staff for the four MPs was 260,573. Mr Flight spent 71,773, Mr Gibb spent 71,184, Mr Loughton claimed 70,328 and Mr Bottomley had the lowest claim at 47,288.

Altogether they spent more than 2,000 in total on stationary: Mr Loughton 346, Mr Bottomley 347, Mr Flight 943 and Mr Gibb 541.

Claims for postage expenses almost topped the 7,000 mark - that's 25,000 first class stamps.

Mr Loughton spent 1,395 on postage, Mr Bottomley 1,621, Mr Gibb 1,763. Mr Flight spent 2,206.

Mr Flight said of his claim: "In respect of people working for me and supplies, I actually pay out of my own pocket because the allowance does not cover it."

Mr Loughton, who is also a shadow minister for health and shadow minister for children, said: "Not a single person has complained to me about the expenses. I think it is absolutely right that MPs' allowances should be published, and it is right that we should be fully accountable.

"I think I came in at number 220 for the most expensive MP so I am fairly average. "

Mr Gibb did not reply to our emails and telephone calls about his expenses claims.