New figures reveal Dorset MPs cost local taxpayers a combined total of around £776,000 in expenses claims last year.

Figures from the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) reveal that West Dorset MP Chris Loder claimed higher business costs and expenses than any other new MP during the the 2019-20 financial year, costing the taxpayer around £71,000.

Mr Loder's costs were the highest of all 156 new MPs elected in December 2019, and well above the average of £40,869 for the new intake of members.

The West Dorset MP cited the high cost of setting up a new office and buying equipment for staff, as well as having a one of the largest constituencies in the UK.

He spent £60,871.16 on office running costs, including £51,704.97 on staff wages and £9,166.19 on other office expenditures, plus £5,250.7 on accommodation, and a further £4,443.61 on travel and subsistence.

Chris Loder MP said: "The costs of running an MP’s office are primarily for staff and office costs in running a base in the constituency and one in Westminster.

"I welcome the scrutiny of these costs, as it will show financial prudence with spending £15.5k less than the budget for this period, whilst setting up a completely new office from day one with a full staff team in place.

"West Dorset is not only the largest constituency in Dorset, it is one of the largest in the UK, and has ten per cent more electors than the average UK constituency."

As he was elected in December 2019, Mr Loder's claims were the lowest of the five Dorset MPs. The highest claiming was Mid Dorset and North Poole MP Michael Tomlinson, who cost the taxpayer around £211,000 - well above the average for other members of parliament elected before December 2019, which is £188,295.

Meanwhile, North Dorset MP Simon Hoare's expenses cost the taxpayer around £199,000, and South Dorset's Richard Drax MP's expenses came to around £161,000 - well below the average for other MPs elected before December 2019.

Mr Drax' expenditure includes £156,631.51 on office running costs; £147,312.58 of which was for staff wages with £9,318.93 on other office expenditures.

And he incurred no accommodation costs during this time, but spent £4,042.04 on travel and subsistence - £1208.84 of which was for staff travel.

Christchurch MP Sir Christopher Chope, claimed around £134,000 in the same time period.

The total cost of MPs last year rose by seven per cent to £127.6 million – including £5.58 million on travel and subsistence claims, and at least £718,700 on hotel claims – though 2019-20 does include more MPs as a result of new members following the election.

John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "While MPs must have the resources to do their jobs, many taxpayers will be worried about the growing cost of politics.

“The electorate expects politicians to stay grounded and keep costs under control, particularly the millions spent on travel and overnight expenses.

“With the economy and public finances in such dire straits, limiting their expenses claims where possible would be a welcome way for MPs to show that we’re all in it together.”

The IPSA said the preparations for a General Election and the pandemic had had a significant impact on their work during the 2019-20 financial year, and on Parliament.

Interim chair Richard Lloyd added: “In March we moved to full working from home for all our staff, and put in place a package of practical support for MPs and their staff to help them continue to serve their constituents during the Covid crisis.

"Every month over 4,000 MPs and staff have their salaries paid and business costs reimbursed, within the rules set independently by IPSA. It’s good for confidence in our system that compliance with the rules is very high, at 99.97 per cent.

“Through IPSA, taxpayers can be assured that public money has been spent appropriately by Members of Parliament, and that we have helped them to serve their constituents during the most difficult of times.”

Michael Tomlinson MP's five most expensive types of costs were:

Payroll – costing £153,507.79

Rent – £35,949.00

Car mileage – £4,322.09

Pooled staffing services – £3,133.00

Council tax – £2,087.51

Simon Hoare MP's five most expensive types of costs were:

Payroll – costing £145,644.10

Rent – £28,258.60

Utilities – £5,003.98

Car mileage – £4,369.67

Pooled staffing services – £3,142.00

Richard Drax MP's five most expensive types of costs were:

Payroll – costing £147,312.58

Pooled staffing services – £5,133.00

Car mileage – £2,833.20

Software and applications – £1,500.00

Rent – £1,084.50

Christopher Chope MP's five most expensive types of costs were:

Payroll – costing £106,455.91

Rent – £9,000.00

Stationery and printing – £4,251.63

Utilities – £3,886.65

Car mileage – £3,046.50

Chris Loder's five most expensive types of costs were:

Payroll – costing £52,607.97

Hotels in London – £5,335.00

Buying equipment – £2,004.02

Rail travel – £1,769.35

Stationery and printing – £1,160.0