EXPENSE claims for MPs in Worcestershire topped £950,000 last year, new figures reveal.

Fresh data published by parliamentary authorities show how the overall cost of MPs for 2013/14 topped the 2009 scandal, with £103 million forked out by taxpayers.

Redditch MP Karen Lumley was the highest costing MP in the county claiming £187,726 last year, a whopping increase of £17,463 on the previous year's total bill of £170,263.

Bills included £143,176 on staffing, £23,019 on office costs like IT, utilities and stationery and £5,569 on travel.

But she did claim £15,960 on accommodation, a slight fall from 2012/2013 from £16,311.

Defending the increase, Mrs Lumley said: "I would like to stress that first of all, like all MPs, my bills for rent, office stationery and staff costs have all gone up but my office and I have worked hard to go on providing good value for my constituents.

"We have answered many thousands of queries from constituents since 2010 and this is my most important duty.

"There has been no significant rise in either my accommodation expenses or travel expenses.

"A few particular items have contributed to some of the increase in my office costs, including the constituency-wide survey that I undertook of all my constituents, asking them to inform me of the areas that they would like to see me focus on in Parliament.

"In addition I have taken on a further member of part-time staff in order to assist in the significantly higher volume of casework that is coming into my mailbox, and I would highlight events put on to help my constituents such as my MP’s jobs fair, the recent apprenticeships and skills fair, and last year’s funding fair, as well as activities designed to make me more accessible to constituents, and especially young people, such as my chips and chat sessions with senior school students."

Mrs Lumley added: "My team and I make every endeavour to keep costs down wherever possible, but I believe that I have a duty to ensure that we use the budgets appropriately in order to serve my Redditch constituents to the best of my ability.”

Bromsgrove MP and Secretary of State for Culture Sajid Javid's claims totalled £158,927 compared to £151,678 in 2012/2013, an increase of £7,249.

Bills included £135,309 on staffing, £18,805 on office costs like IT, utilities and stationery and £4,811 on travel.

He claimed nothing on accommodation, the same as last year.

Elsewhere in the county Worcester MP Robin Walker cost the public £143,857, an increase of £9,000 and Wyre Forest MP Mark Garnier's claims totalled £184,062, up £4,000 on the previous year.

However, West Worcestershire MP Harriet Baldwin and Sir Peter Luff, who represents Mid-Worcestershire, managed to buck national trends by cutting their costs.

Mr Luff's costs fell £6,000 to £128,710 and Mrs Baldwin's claims fell from £165,000 to £154,412.