Details of how much our MPs claimed in expenses last year were revealed today.

The figures, released by Parliament this afternoon, show our four regional MPs claimed more than £80,000 in controversial second home allowances and more than £360,000 on staffing costs in 2007/08.

For the second year in a row Watford MP Claire Ward (Labour) and Hemel Hempstead MP Mike Penning (Conservative) both claimed the maximum amount of Additional Costs Allowance (ACA) available to them- £23,098.

South West Herts MP David Gauke (Conservative) claimed £20,186 and Hertsmere MP James Clappison £15,916.

Additional Costs Allowance is paid to reimburse members for costs incurred when staying away from their main homes on Parliamentary duty.

Members can claim up to £24,006 (an amount increased since 2007) in mortgage, hotel, insurance, cleaning, utility bills and repairs each year.

Critics, however, claim it is open to abuse by MPs who use it to ‘bump up’ their salaries or to pay mortgage costs on a second home – a home which can then be sold at a personal profit.