BRITAIN’S MPs are claiming twice as much in expenses for their second homes as most families spend on their only home, The Times has found.

Last year MPs from outside London claimed an average of £17,852 for mortgage repayments, domestic appliances, utility bills and security on their second homes. Official figures collected by The Times show that average annual expenditure on the items is £8,530.

Last night the chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life called for a re-examination of the system that allows MPs to claim up to £250 a time on expenses for which they do not need to provide a receipt. Sir Alistair Graham said: “MPs, like any public servants, need to ensure that their expenses arrangements are in line with what the general public maintain is reasonable. It is good practice to have regular surveys to ensure that any expenses arrangements are in line with the rest of the country.”

The average claimed by MPs on second homes has been calculated from figures for their Additional Costs Allowance, meant to reimburse them for extra expenditure. They can claim back interest payments on second-home mortgages intended to let them divide their time between Westminster and their constituency. Expenditure on inexpensive furniture, appliances, utilities and security, as well as essential repairs and redecoration, is also reimbursed. MPs cannot claim for house extensions, antique or luxury items and repayments of the capital on their mortgages.

Some 610 out of 659 MPs claimed the Additional Costs Allowance in 2004-05, and the average claim was £17,852. Nearly 200 MPs claimed the maximum — £20,902. Receipts are required only if the claim is more than £250 or if it is for food or an hotel bill.

Some MPs are believed to be using the mortgage allowance to buy a third or fourth property — it is meant to help them to pay for a home in their constituency.

Concerns have emerged after claims that senior Labour figures have failed to explain large expenses claims on their mortgages.

Seven ministers have been asked to explain apparent discrepancies between what they claim and what they spend on their mortgages.

Ruth Kelly, the Education Secretary, has been accused of claiming £72,000 to cover utility bills and interest payments that she makes on her mortgage for her constituency home near Bolton.

John Prescott, the Deputy Prime Minister, Geoff Hoon, Leader of the House, and Margaret Beckett, the Environment Secretary, all live in grace-and-favour apartments. Despite this they have claimed more than £60,000 of public money over four years to furnish and pay interest on constituency homes.

Norman Baker, the Liberal Democrat MP for Lewes, has written to the Senior Salaries Advisory Body demanding that it stop ministers from claiming mortgage payments if they live in free accommodation and that it halt payments to any MP who has three or more properties.

The Times calculated the average household costs on the items quoted using figures from the Office of National Statistics and Ofgem.

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