A British lawmaker is defending claiming 9 pence (18 cents Cdn) on expenses for a short car journey, saying such claims may look "odd" but the mileage adds up.

Conservative lawmaker Rob Wilson said the 322-metre journey in March 2014 was a "constituency engagement." He also made several other small claims for short journeys, including 13 pence for a trip in his car to attend a business meeting.

Wilson told Metro News on Tuesday he was an active lawmaker who often met with local voters. He said many of his trips are fairly short, but add up because he takes a number of them each week.

The BBC reported that Wilson also claimed 60 pence for a trip on his bicycle between his constituency office, a train station and his home.

Beginning the end of July, British lawmakers will get a 10 per cent pay increase from 67,060 pounds ($135,689 Cdn) to 74,000 pounds ($149,731 Cdn) a year.