MP says he's 'good value'

He was speaking after UK MP's expenses for 2006/07 were published this week.

Mr Barker's total expenses for the financial year stood at 135,669 - almost exactly the same figure as the rough average among MPs of 135,600.

His expenses for last year were 107,909.

The highest MP's expense claim in the country was 185,421 and the lowest was 44,551.

Mr Barker's largest jump has been in his staffing allowance - up from 66,615 a year to 77,580.

He also spent 21,507 on staying away from his main home, 27,296 on office running costs and 6,567 on travel.

Stationery for his office cost 403, with 1,166 going on postage.

Mr Barker said: "I have a very busy office, dealing with a high number of constituents letters and problems and local campaign issues.

"As a very active local MP that does mean that I utilise most of my staffing allowance, but I hope people will agree that is it good value for money and I am always conscious it is paid for by the tax payer.

"I would like to see the whole expenses regime overhauled and made more simple and transparent.

"There are too many different little pots and it is not clear to the public what is the MP's remuneration - their salary - and what is for the running of the office. I would like to see a greater separation between these two."

MPs have a basic salary of 60,277 plus pension.