MPs hit back over expenses

Defiant MPs today defended their huge expenses bills, with many declaring: "We are worth every penny".

Dudley South MP Ian Pearson claimed the most in the region, at £150,481, followed closely by his Dudley North colleague Ian Austin, at £147,505.

The figures were revealed amid growing anger over MPs' claims, after Home Secretary Jacqui Smith's adult movie scandal.

Mr Austin, Minister for the West Midlands, said: "Most of these costs are to run offices, employ staff and provide a first class service.

"If you take out the costs of postage and communication I think my costs would be below average.

"The Prime Minister has called for a full inquiry into the whole system and I think that is necessary as we have to try and win back public confidence and trust.

"I am giving up any pay increase this year as I think increasing my pay would be the wrong thing to do."

Adrian Bailey, Labour MP for West Bromwich West said: "I would like to see a flat rate salary to get rid of all the current nonsense. I don't have a figure in mind, but it would have to cover the current level of accommodation allowances."

But Wolverhampton North East MP Ken Purchase, who will be standing down from Parliament at the next general election, said he "did not care" about the public backlash .

"If anyone has any complaints about my expenses then I would urge them to please, please report me. I really don't care any more."

Aldridge-Brownhills MP Richard Shepherd said: "The MP salary is less than that of the head of a big secondary school. When I was first elected in 1979 there was a big difference between what the chief executive of a local authority was paid and an MP. Now it is a multiple difference."

Find out what your MP claimed in Tuesday's Express & Star.