REDDITCH MP Jacqui Smith claims more in expenses than any other MP in the West Midlands and was the fourth most expensive in the Commons.

Figures just revealed show Ms Smith claimed £158,313 last year.

These included £83,838 on staff costs, £19,853 on office running costs and £21,596 on living away from her main home.

She claimed nearly £10,000 on her own travel expenses and £697 for her staff's travel. She also claimed £22,246 for stationery and postage.

Ms Smith said: "The money is spent on the things I need in order to do my job as an active constituency MP. This includes staffing, rent for my office, computers and stationary.

"My constituents rightly demand a high level of service, which is why I have invested so much in providing a hard working, constituency-based hub for my local casework and campaigning activities.

"I think I would have a lot of explaining to do to my constituents if I did not invest in the means to help them with their inquiries or if I did not bother to write to them about the concerns they raised with me."

Most expensive in the Commons was Eric Joyce, Labour MP for Falkirk, Scotland, who racked up almost £175,000, largely due to travel expenses.