WARRINGTON'S MPs have put in expenses claims for milk, newspapers, and international flights.

That's according to figures from the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, which is responsible for regulating the activity of Members of Parliament.

All MPs are allowed to claim money back for activities such as travel, accommodation, and for items such as stationery.

Amongst other things, the office for Andy Carter, Conservative MP for Warrington South, has claimed expenses to pay for print editions of The Warrington Guardian and has twice claimed money back to buy milk, at a cost of 80p each.

Charlotte Nichols, Labour MP for Warrington North, travelled abroad to Gibraltar as part of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme in November, with flights worth £451.62 being claimed.

Ms Nichols also claimed £181.34 for a flight from Heathrow to Luxembourg Airport.

Both Warrington MPs' offices have made claims for as little as 19p in stationery costs.

Warrington Guardian: Ms Nichols' business costs included international flightsMs Nichols' business costs included international flights (Image: Parliament UK)

MPs can also claim back the cost of parking their car - though Ms Nichols has not claimed any money for parking, Mr Carter has.

Ms Nichols has not made any claims for mileage covered by car, though Mr Carter has made 12 claims for trips to London, ranging from £81 to £90 - MPs are allowed to claim back 45p per mile travelled.

Both MPs have made a number of claims for rail travel, the smallest amount being from Ms Nichols for £8.90 from Crewe to Warrington Bank Quay; the largest being £348.60 from London to Warrington Bank Quay claimed by Mr Carter.

Mr Carter also has made 37 separate claims to cover £1 booking fees for rail travel.

Warrington Guardian: Mr Carter has made a number of claims for taxi fares in London, due to there being 'no other reasonable transport.'Mr Carter has made a number of claims for taxi fares in London, due to there being 'no other reasonable transport.' (Image: Parliament UK)

Both MPs claim monthly rent for their London properties (which all non-London MPs are allowed to do) - Ms Nichols' monthly rent is £1,733.33, whereas Mr Carter's is £1,939.17.

The average monthly rent in London is £1,832.

Overall, in 2022 so far, Mr Carter's costs have totalled £44,228.71 - Ms Nichols' costs have totalled £28,704.97.

Charlotte Nichols MP said: "My office costs claims are rightly made public and my constituents are welcome to examine them.

"They are the price of funding the work that I and my team do for the people of Warrington North."

Andy Carter MP said: "A lower overall spend doesn’t mean it’s being spent well, if you don’t visit your constituency, employ staff or open an office where local people can access you, you’ll spend less but are then far less likely to provide the service local people expect and deserve."

The Conservative MP for Warrington South has spent £21,309 on office costs so far this year, whereas Warrington North's Labour MP has spent £2,706 on office costs.

Mr Carter added: "Contrary to common misconception, MPs can’t claim for personal costs such as food and drink during their normal working day."