CHRIS FISHER, EDP Political Editor The bill for MPs' allowances and expenses rose by 5pc to £87.6m last year. And individual claims varied between £185,000 and £45,000.The highest claim by a Norfolk MP was almost £151,000 from Norman Lamb (North Norfolk), and the lowest one was more than £133,000 from Henry Bellingham (NW Norfolk).

CHRIS FISHER, EDP Political Editor

The bill for MPs' allowances and expenses rose by 5pc to £87.6m last year. And individual claims varied between £185,000 and £45,000.

The highest claim by a Norfolk MP was almost £151,000 from Norman Lamb (North Norfolk), and the lowest one was more than £133,000 from Henry Bellingham (NW Norfolk).

The other, approximate, figures for the county's MPs were: Richard Bacon (South Norfolk) £149,000; Charles Clarke (Norwich South) £143,000; Christopher Fraser (SW Norfolk) £137,000; Ian Gibson (Norwich North) £135,000; Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk) £141,000; Tony Wright (Yarmouth) £143,000. Waveney MP Bob Blizzard claimed £144,000, and Cambridgeshire Fens MP Malcolm Moss £138,000.

Prime minister Gordon Brown - who was still chancellor during the 2006-07 financial year to which the latest figures refer - claimed £135,525. This included £17,017 for London accommodation, £9,557 for air tickets and £2,812 on postage and stationery. His constituency is in Scotland.

Tory leader David Cameron, who represents Witney in Oxfordshire, claimed £7,860 more. This included £20,563 on London housing and £12,775 on postage and stationery. His travel expenses were £950 in car mileage and a £20 rail fare - but nothing for his bicycle riding.

Ministerial couple Ed Balls (schools secretary) and Yvette Cooper (housing minister) claimed nearly £32,000 to fund their London home.

The highest individual claim (£185,421) was made by international development minister and Dewsbury MP, Shahid Malik. The lowest (£45,251) came from Kettering Tory MP Philip Hollobone. While a typical MP was claiming about £80,000 for staffing costs, he claimed £400.

MPs for seats outside central London can claim up to £22,110 a year for staying away from their main home to carry out their parliamentary duties. The others can make use of a London supplement of £2,712.

Office costs can be reimbursed up to £20,400 and MPs enjoy a mileage rate of 40p a mile for the first 10,000 miles and 25p a mile thereafter.