BURY North MP David Nuttall has defended claiming £560 on energy bills for his second home in London.

The expenses were claimed between April, 2012, and March of this year.

The figures were revealed in documents from the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) which took over regulating claims in the wake of the 2009 expenses scandal.

MPs are legitimately allowed to claim up to £20,100 a year to run a second home in the capital, which includes rent, hotel stays, council tax, phone and internet as well as energy bills.

Mr Nuttall said: “The amount MPs can claim reimbursement for in respect of having a flat in London is strictly controlled and capped by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority.

“I claim for rent, council tax, water and electricity. I do not have gas and despite it being allowed under the rules I do not claim for a television licence, telephone or internet access. I do not claim for travel in and around the constituency, nor have I ever claimed any underground or taxi fares. I pay all my constituency office petty cash items personally.”

The MP added: “I am extremely conscious that many constituents struggle to make ends meet. It is important to look at the overall figures rather than one single item and the last overall figures proved I had one of the lowest overall claims in the Manchester area.”

Figures also show that Bury South MP Ivan Lewis claimed £358 on energy bills for his second home in London.

He said: “I think that the whole basis of the system recognises that if you live a long way away from London, you can’t go home every night. I have to have a second home and I rent a flat in London.

“I have to heat and light my flat. The claim for energy bills is specifically towards the cost of needing somewhere to live in London.”