MPs representing the Barnsley borough claimed more than £185,000 in expenses and allowances during 2012/13.

 

The figures, highly anticipated following reforms of the expenses system in 2010, were released by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority.

 

Expenses claimed by Dan Jarvis (Barnsley Central), Michael Dugher (Barnsley East), John Healey (Wentworth and Dearne) and Angela Smith (Penistone and Stocksbridge) cover travel, office accommodation and administration costs, but excludes full-time staff.

 

It was Mr Dugher who claimed the least amount with £11,521.61 for constituency office spend, £11,965.06 on accommodation, £6,168.80 for travel and subsistence, £1,652.43 under 'staffing spend' and £767 'miscellaneous' claim -  totalling £32,074.90

 

This was followed by Angela Smith whose expenses came to £38,328.91 for the year. Broken down, the figures by IPSA show she claimed £15,985.21 for the cost of running her constituency office, £15,316.01 on accommodation, and £7,027.69 for travel and subsistence.

 

In total Mr Jarvis claimed £46,886.90 with £17,864.79 for his constituency office, £23,212.09 on accommodation, and £5,810.02 for travel and subsistence.

 

However, the MP with the highest claim was Wentworth and Dearne MP John Healey, totalling £68,432.96, with a staffing claim of £10,586.70, £11,346.05 in travel and subsistence, £21,148.92 for accommodation and a £24,655.29 for his constituency office spend.

 

The IPSA statistics also show all four MPs employed partners or relatives to assist their duties.

Angela Smith came top for paying husband Steve Smith up to £39,999 a year to employ him as a senior caseworker.

 

Mr Jarvis employed partner Rachel Brookes as a senior secretary, at a cost of between £5,000-£9,999, while Mr Dugher employed wife Joanna as an office manager, at a rate of up to £34,999.

 

John Healey also employed his wife, Jackie Bate, as an office manager, costing between £10,000 - £14,999.

 

• Do you think reforms of the MPs expenses system has curtailed costs? Put your thoughts down in a letter and email it to editorial@barnsley-chronicle.co.uk.