DUP seeks expenses system reform

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The DUP is proposing that the current system of MPs' expenses should be abolished.

The party wants a central Westminster unit to look after the payment of constituency offices, equipment, staff, utility bills and rent or mortgage.

The Daily Telegraph published details about the accommodation and food expenses of DUP leader Peter Robinson and his wife, Iris, last week.

The DUP has now released a partial breakdown of DUP MPs' expenses.

In a statement, the party said: "It is necessary that Northern Ireland MPs have the facility to stay overnight. The DUP MPs do not avail of the overnight allowance. Eight DUP MPs except one, Dr Paisley, make interest payments.

"Dr Paisley stays in rented accommodation whilst staying in London. Therefore, our MPs have to pay council tax, service charges, utilities, telephone and telecommunications, cleaning, service and maintenance, repairs, insurance, security, fixtures and fittings costs.

DUP MP claims MPs claims an average of £20,499 from second homes allowanceNo MP claimed £25 overnight allowance Party claimed third of £90,000 communications allowance All claimed less than £90,000 in 07/08 for staffing

"All of our MPs claim this allowance at different levels depending on circumstances. The total amount claimed is already in the public domain and when we receive the final copies of the claims of all of our MPs they will be published online."

"The expenses of MPs demonstrate that the DUP MPs are not the big claimers at Westminster."

Last week, the Daily Telegraph reported that MPs Peter and Iris Robinson claimed about £30,000 for food in parliamentary expenses over a four-year period.

Leaked expenses claims in the paper show the DUP couple claimed £160,000 in mortgage interest payments between 2004 and 2008.

These were claimed for an apartment owned by the couple in London.