Total allowances claimed by MPs last year rose to £87.6m, the House of Commons has revealed.

Publishing the 2006/07 figures, parliamentary authorities said that there had been a like-for-like increase of around five per cent.

MPs are allowed to claim expenses to cover costs such as staying away from their main home, office running costs, staffing of their offices, travel, stationary and IT.

Liberal Democrat MP Nick Harvey, spokesman for the members estimate committee, said the money was used "to support the work of MPs in the discharge of their obligations to the House, their constituents and the public at large".

"As well as playing a vital role in the House of Commons in debates, law making and scrutiny, MPs have to undertake frequent journeys between the constituency and Westminster and elsewhere," he said.

"They also have to ensure that offices are fully staffed and properly equipped and provide the level of support and communication increasingly expected and demanded by constituents.

"The use of the allowances, while fulfilling these obligations, is governed by published rules and subject to careful control and scrutiny."

And Harvey added that "compared to parliamentarians in other countries, this represents excellent value for money".