West Dorset Dorset MP eighth most expensive in country

That is £52,296 more than the average £203,880 claim from March 2020-March 2021.

South Dorset MP Richard Drax's claim was among the lower end nationally at £173,907.63 - around £159,000 of that being staff costs. North Dorset's Simon Hoare claimed £212,892.94 while Michael Tomlinson, MP for mid-Dorset and north Poole, claimed £217,449.59.

Mr Loder, whose claim was made up of office, staff, travel and accommodation costs – with the major claims being for staff and office – said he welcomed the scrutiny of MPs’ expenses and said it showed ‘financial prudence’.

But some business owners, residents and civic leaders have questioned why the claim is so high.

Stratton-based business owner Chris Cartwright, 28, said: “That is really shocking to hear, we’re not talking pennies more but tens of thousands compared to the average.

“It is staggering, seems like he is living in luxury particularly with the accommodation money.

“In perspective that tens of thousands more could be spent helping charities or businesses, my dad for example did a fundraiser over Christmas and raised £150 which made 35 calls to suicidal people that amount could do so much more.”

Mr Cartwright said what his parliamentary representative spends on accommodation alone is what he roughly earns a year being self-employed.

But Bridport Mayor Ian Bark said: “Initially that sounds a lot but it’s probably justified and qualified.

"Value for money wise he has done some things I agree with some I don’t but I suspect on balance that’s right.

“He’s done more than the previous MP in terms of getting out and about.”

Dorchester Town Council Alistair Chisholm also called for an explanation behind the big difference in Mr Loder’s costs in contrast with other Members of Parliament.

Mr Chisholm said: “It is extraordinary, how does he justify that?

“You’d expect it to be higher for those travelling from the Highlands but not here.

“There are legit expenses and costs but I wonder why he needs that much difference over everyone else?”

Nick Good, a 48-year-old engineer from Bridport, said: “I am intrigued they are that high.

“But it is unfair to make a judgment without all the facts and he has done an extremely fantastic job with things like the carnival.”

The MP for Broxtowe, Darren Henry, was the most expensive MP nationally at £280,936, while the cheapest was Kettering’s Philip Hollobone who claimed £80,709.

In response Chris Loder said: "The costs of running an MP’s office are mainly for staff wages and office costs in running an office in the constituency and in Westminster.

"The office has spent £24,000 less than the maximum spend for this period, being 51st in the MP ranking for staffing costs and 286th for accommodation.

"West Dorset is not only the largest constituency in Dorset, it is one of the largest in the UK, and has 10% more electors than the average UK constituency, with 83,000 electors, over 400 square miles, compared to 65,000 in Mid-Dorset.

"I welcome the scrutiny of these costs, as it will show financial prudence."