EAST Lancashire’s MPs claimed almost £900,000 in expenses in 2007/08, it has been revealed.

For the third year running, Janet Anderson, who represents Rossendale and Darwen, made the biggest mileage claim in parliament at £11,996 after racking up 41,984 miles.

Elsewhere, claims were submitted for flights to London, running offices and maintaining second homes.

The MPs said the expenses, released by parliament today, represented the ‘unavoidable cost’ of being based in London as well as their constituency homes.

But they admitted changes to the expenses system were needed after a recent string of high-profile controversies involving second home claims with a major inquiry due to start this autumn.

Justice Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw, whose £126,327 bill included office costs of £102,260, said: “There is widespread agreement that this urgently has to be reviewed because it’s done great damage to the reputations of all MPs, regardless of their party.”

All East Lancashire’s MPs claimed the “additional costs” allowance, which has been controversially paid to some London-based MPs, for covering the costs of staying away from home.

Susie Squire of the Taxpayers’ Alliance branded the figures “absolutely shocking”, claiming MPs should be “tightening their belts” during the recession.

Mrs Anderson defended her mileage claim, which could have taken her almost twice around the world, despite being slightly down on last year.

She said: “I have always made it plain that I make the journey back to my constituency by car, and occasionally by train.

“I am elected to parliament to serve the people of Rossendale and Darwen in parliament and have to be there when it is sitting.”

She said she came back to East Lancashire at least once a week.

Ribble Valley Nigel Evans claimed £9,326 in flights between London and Manchester in 2007/08 but just £3,661 in mileage.

He said: “I do not own a car, and it would be more expensive if I got the train.”

Hyndburn MP Greg Pope said he usually took the train back to his constituency, hence his £8,513 bill for rail travel.

He added: “There’s no way of getting around it.

"People want me to vote in Westminster and hold surgeries in Lancashire.”

Janet Anderson

  • Expenses (including 2nd home costs) £41,010
  • Office and staffing costs £111,581
  • Travel expenses £18,391
  • Extras (including spouse and family costs) £2,574
  • Overall £173,556.

Greg Pope

  • Expenses (including 2nd home costs) £31,862
  • Office and staffing costs £110,937
  • Travel expenses £15,347
  • Extras (including spouse and family costs) £3,452
  • Overall £161,688.

Kitty Ussher

  • Expenses (including 2nd home costs) £37,870
  • Office and staffing costs £106,209
  • Travel expenses £7,960
  • Extras (including spouse and family costs) £3,349
  • Overall £155,388.

Gordon Prentice

  • Expenses (including 2nd home costs) £27,846
  • Office and staffing costs £101,446
  • Travel expenses £7,508
  • Overall £136,847.

Jack Straw

  • Expenses (including 2nd home costs) £18,461
  • Office and staffing costs £102,260
  • Travel expenses £3,624
  • Extras (including spouse and family costs) £2,022
  • Overall £126,327.

Nigel Evans

  • Expenses (including 2nd home costs) £23,553
  • Office and staffing costs £87,483
  • Travel expenses £14,381
  • Extras (including spouse and family costs) £624
  • Overall £126,043.

Overall total of all six East Lancashire MPs

  • £879,849.