A Wirral MP was among the most expensive in England last year, a report has revealed, costing the taxpayer around £220,000.

Figures from the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) show Wirral South MP Alison McGovern's total business costs for the 2019-20 financial year were £219,675.58.

That puts the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Shadow Minister's costs in the top 10% of all sitting members of parliament in England elected before December 2019, and well above the UK average of £188,295.

By comparison, Speaker Lindsay Hoyle has cost £259,057 over the same time, and Philip Hollobone, MP for Kettering, just £78,960.

The New Ferry-based MP spent £182,403.60 on office running costs in 2019-20, including £164,149.84 on staff wages and absences and £18,253.76 on other office expenditures.

Ms McGovern spent £22,108.07 of her accommodation budget (of £28,355), and a further £15,163.91 on travel and subsistence.

The second highest parliamentary representative from our borough was Margaret Greenwood.

The Wirral West MP's £187,328.45 costs were on a par with the average for other members of parliament elected before December 2019, of £188,295.

Long-serving Wallasey MP, Dame Angela Eagle, had total business costs of £177,783.30.

Meanwhile, Mick Whitley MP cost the taxpayer around £42,933.62 in his first financial year in the job.

Although a much lower figure than his Wirral parliamentary peers, the Birkenhead MP's costs were still above the average of £40,869 for the other 155 new members of parliament elected in December 2019.

The total cost of MPs last year rose by 7% to £127.6 million – including £5.58 million on travel and subsistence claims, and at least £718,700 on hotel claims – though 2019-20 does include more MPs as a result of new members following the election.

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.

“The electorate expects politicians to stay grounded and keep costs under control, particularly the millions spent on travel and overnight expenses.

“With the economy and public finances in such dire straits, limiting their expenses claims where possible would be a welcome way for MPs to show that we’re all in it together.”

The IPSA said the preparations for a General Election and the pandemic had had a significant impact on their work during the 2019-20 financial year, and on Parliament.

Interim chair Richard Lloyd added: “In March we moved to full working from home for all our staff, and put in place a package of practical support for MPs and their staff to help them continue to serve their constituents during the Covid crisis.

"Every month over 4,000 MPs and staff have their salaries paid and business costs reimbursed, within the rules set independently by IPSA. It’s good for confidence in our system that compliance with the rules is very high, at 99.97%.

“Through IPSA, taxpayers can be assured that public money has been spent appropriately by Members of Parliament, and that we have helped them to serve their constituents during the most difficult of times.”

The full report, which covers all MPs, can be seen by clicking here.