RENFREWSHIRE'S two MPs claimed more than £400,000 in expenses between them last year, a new report reveals.

The figures, from the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA), were made public by the TaxPayers’ Alliance.

Gavin Newlands, who represents Paisley and Renfrewshire North, claimed £226,289 for the 2019/20 financial year.

In the same period, Paisley and Renfrewshire South MP Mhairi Black claimed £208,883.

The average expenses claim by their fellow MPs last year was £157,747.

SNP man Mr Newlands, whose constituency includes Renfrew and Linwood, defended the spending and described the figures as misleading.

His expenses included £177,336 for his constituency office and staff, £29,992 on accommodation and £18,959 on travel and food.

Mr Newlands says the average figure includes MPs who were only elected in December 2019 and whose claim will have been much lower.

He also accused the TaxPayers’ Alliance of using MP’s expenses for its own political ends.

“The bulk of my expenditure goes on office accommodation in my constituency and staff who work there,” he added.

“Unlike many MPs, I have no staff at Westminster, meaning every penny is spent ensuring constituents get the best possible service when getting in touch for my support.

“Since first elected in 2015, my office has taken on nearly 17,000 cases to help constituents.

“In general, the further MPs are away from London, the higher the travel costs and this is reflected in my own figures. It costs more for me to travel from Renfrewshire to Westminster than it would an MP for Reading.”

Ms Black, whose constituency includes Johnstone and Kilbarchan, also defended her expenses.

Her claim includes £179,001 for office and staff expenditure, £14,869 on accommodation and £14,962 on travel and food.

The SNP politician said: “MPs in Scotland have the cost of frequent long-distance travel to Westminster.

“My office provides a crucial service to constituents, dealing with thousands of enquiries. It’s critical that the office is properly staffed to provide this service.”

All expenses claims are on top of the basic MP’s salary of £81,932.

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.”