REDDITCH MP Jacqui Smith has defended the amount of money she claims in expenses by saying she costs constituents less than a penny a day.

Ms Smith said she felt the £141,302 claimed between April last year and March 2005 was justified, particularly as it included payment of three full-time members of staff.

The expenses also include member's travel and costs incurred from overnight stays while on Parliamentary duties.

Ms Smith said: "These figures show that including my salary as an MP and that of three full-time members of staff and all the costs to support their work, I have cost each of my constituents less than a penny a day.

Her expenses also included spending more than £15,000 on stationery but she said: "With very important local issues in and around the town in recent years and now the fight to keep services at the Alexandra Hospital, I make no apology for keeping the people of Redditch informed of developments."

She added: "I will continue to use all the powers at my disposal to listen to the people of Redditch, to represent their views and to ensure people know what is going on in their Parliament."

Former Croydon Central MP Geraint Davies, who lost his seat in the May General Election, claimed the highest expenses of £176,026 for the same period.