MARGARET BECKETT, the former foreign secretary, has issued an extraordinary defence of MPs’ expenses, suggesting their lavish allowances are not generous enough.

In a letter to Sir Christopher Kelly, the Whitehall official charged with overhauling the discredited system, she complains about the “thousands of pounds” they have to shell out on prizes and donations for their constituents, and the hardships of having a grace-and-favour residence, which she enjoyed for nine years.

The Labour MP says ministers assigned the grand, taxpayer-funded apartments face a tax penalty and are forced to pay their own utility bills.

She rubbishes a series of proposed reforms to the expenses system, saying: “The effect of a number of the ideas which have been proposed could be to require even greater sacrifice of families and family life — a sacrifice fewer people may, in time, feel able or prepared to make ... the words baby and bathwater spring to mind.”

Beckett’s letter is one of hundreds submitted to Kelly by MPs and members of the public as he considers how to restore public trust in the system. Its self-pitying tone will embarrass Gordon Brown and is likely to fuel public concern that some MPs are not genuinely committed to reform.

It comes after Alan Duncan, shadow leader of the Commons, complained that MPs, who earn £64,766 a year, were being forced to live on “rations”.

Beckett says the system of allowances — under which she attempted to claim almost £11,000 for flower pots, hanging baskets and gardening work at her Derby cottage — does not adequately cover MPs’ costs.

She writes: “There are costs, uniquely associated with political life, which others are unlikely ever to face, which are not and never will be met from public funds.”

She adds that such expenditure continues “to arise throughout political life, usually ... without being supported or reimbursed. Political campaigns, by-elections, public functions or conferences, prizes, sponsorships and donations incur costs, not just in hundreds but probably totalling thousands of pounds, from the MP’s own pocket”.

Beckett was given a grace-and-favour home in Admiralty House, overlooking Trafalgar Square, in 1997 when she ran the trade department.

She lived in the apartment — which received a £65,000 refurbishment — for eight years. After being made foreign secretary in 2006 she moved into another grace-and-favour property, in Carlton Gardens, for a year.

While living rent-free in these properties she claimed £106,000 in expenses for a second home in her Derby South constituency.

The government wants to axe second-home allowances for ministers living in state apartments. Beckett argues that this would be unfair, saying they would be left with “three sets of housing costs”.

“Contrary to what is often assumed or reported, such residences do not come free of charge,” she claims. “A tax charge is levied on salary, as well as council tax and other costs.”

Her letter also complains about the “substantial debts” MPs run up trying to secure a seat and the struggle they face in the cut-throat jobs market after they leave Westminster.

Beckett, 66, makes a personal plea to Kelly not to prevent MPs from employing relatives. Her 82-year-old husband, Leo, has been her assistant for more than a decade.

“Some years ago I encountered one of the best organisers and managers I have ever met, whose judgment of people is extremely shrewd and whose advice I have often found invaluable. We later married.

“To me it makes no sense to replace him with someone less effective who will be less devoted to my interests.”

Price of paint and plants

— Between 2004 and 2008 Margaret Beckett claimed £72,537 for her Derby South constituency cottage, despite having no mortgage or rent to pay.

— This included £711 to paint her summer house, shed and pergola; £600 on plants for hanging baskets, tubs, pots and planters; £57 to prune an apple tree; £190 to rebuild a rockery; £1,421 for “tree and hedge works”.

— As environment secretary, she used the Queen’s flight at least 10 times in 2003-4, at a cost to the taxpayer of more than £30,000.

— For at least two years after being removed as foreign secretary in June 2007 she retained police protection and chauffeur-driven cars at an estimated cost to the taxpayer of £300,000 a year.

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