FORMER Clacton MP Douglas Carswell has defended a hike in his expenses claims after taking on more staff.

Figures released by IPSA – the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority – have shown that MPs are now claiming more than at the height of the 2009 expenses scandal.

IPSA also revealed that a quarter of MPs now employ a family member.

Mr Carswell, who has resigned after defecting to UKIP, claimed £165,990 in the last financial year – up from £150,842 the previous year.

Colchester Lib Dem MP Sir Bob Russell claimed £166,576 – the highest of any north Essex MP.

Witham’s Priti Patel claimed £152,470, while Braintree’s Brooks Newmark claimed £142,132 and Harwich and North Essex MP Bernard Jenkin claimed £134,090.

The 2013-14 figures show Mr Carswell’s staffing costs rose from about £115,000 to £126,549.

He also employed wife, Clementine, as a secretary, paying her between £5,000 and £10,000.

MPs are allowed to employ one family member or business associate under the IPSA rules.

Mr Carswell said: “The cost to the taxpayer of running my office was higher in 2013-14 than in the previous year because I hired more staff to cope with the extra workload.

“Specifically, I hired a full-time audio typist because I deal personally with every letter I get and therefore dictate many, many letters.

“It is my job to help constituents – whoever was the MP would have to have office staff to do so."