AUDITORS have relaxed the rules governing MPs’ expenses.

Taxpayers are likely to fork out more each year after the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) announced a reform package yesterday.

But Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman believes more could have been done, particularly regarding travel to and from London.

Changes include:

MPs will be able to use official credit cards to fund spending on hotels, stationery and office telephones

Members of Parliament will be allowed to spend £115,000 a year on staff – up £5,500 on the current limit

Children of MPs can be classed as dependants up to 18, rather than the previous limit of five. The reform will allow more politicians to claim an accommodation supplement of £2,425 per year for each child

Thirty-one MPs whose constituencies are on the outskirts of London will be allowed to claim for accommodation in the capital rather than having to commute home late at night.

However, IPSA has decided not to relax the rules around rail travel.

MPs used to be able to claim for first-class fares. But the rules were tightened following the 2009 expenses scandal.

MPs can now only claim the cost of a standard-class ticket bought on the day.

Members who continue travelling first-class must book a cheaper advance ticket.

Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman said yesterday that the ban on claiming for first-class travel should be lifted.

“I think the rule is wrong,” said the Labour man.

“I get a tremendous amount of work done on the train and you can’t do that if you travel standard-class because there isn’t the privacy.

“Other passengers can look over and see your constituents’ details.

“I still travel first-class because I book my tickets in advance meaning they cost less than standard fares bought on the day.

“But I think the travel rule was brought in symbolically.”