Cooking, cleaning and admin at our top military officer's grace-and-favour home cost the taxpayer more than £100,000 last year.

Despite a crackdown on perks in 2011, 'domestic assistance' for General Sir Nicholas Houghton at his London residence came in at £104,000.

Meanwhile his deputy, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach - who took over as Chief of the Defence Staff whenSir Nicholas retired in July - ran up costs of £58,000.

The MoD has revealed that 'domestic assistance' for General Sir Nicholas Houghton at his London residence came in at £104,000 last year

The scale of the spending, disclosed in response to a Freedom of Information request by MailOnline, will cause fury as the military struggles to cope with deep cuts to budgets and slashes troop numbers.

Ministers announced plans to trim perks for top brass several years ago, including giving up an opulent flat at Kensington Palace that was used by Sir Nicholas' predecessor Lord Richards.

The Chief of Defence Staff and his deputy are paid salaries of £260,000 and £195,0000 respectively.

According to the MoD's accounts, Sir Nicholas received 'benefit in kind' - perks that HMRC regards as equivalent to extra pay - worth £67,900 last year.

Sir Stuart's were valued at £55,100. The department met the tax liability in full on their behalf.

But the FOI response shows that their costs met from the public purse are significantly higher.

The Ministry of Defence did not give any details of its spending on rent for the properties, and said maintenance costs were not 'separately identifiable' from other forces accommodation.

A whistleblower previously claimed that senior military officers had their own chefs.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach (pictured with Theresa May) took over as Chief of the Defence Staff when Sir Nicholas retired in July. His costs for domestic help were £58,000

Ministers announced plans to trim perks for top brass several years ago, including giving up an opulent flat at Kensington Palace (pictured) that was used by Sir Nicholas' predecessors

The MoD said in its FOI response: 'Official service residences have now been abolished, and all properties are now treated as Service Family Accommodation in the same way.

'However, some posts (not people) have a property that is tied to that post; The Chief of Defence Staff and Vice Chief of Defence Staff are two such posts. The reason houses are tied to these posts is due to the nature of those roles.'

Former shadow defence minister Kevan Jones said: 'When we are being told our defence budget is under severe stress many ordinary servicemen and servicewomen will find it remarkable that such large sums are being paid for one person's cooking and cleaning.

'Austerity seems to have passed by senior members of the military.'

Last week it emerged that the Queen's guards were up in arms after a broken boiler left them with no hot water for days.

Up to 600 soldiers at Wellington Barracks, home of the historic regiments since 1833, are 'hopping mad' about the malfunction, which has left them 'sweaty and smelly' during ceremonial duty.

The breakdown, which has also left the base without central heating, has coincided with freezing weather in London.

Up to 600 soldiers at Wellington Barracks, home of the historic regiments since 1833, have been suffering after the boilers failed at their dilapidated accommodation

They have been promised a delivery of temporary, mobile shower blocks but they will be situated in the drill square - in full view of onlooking tourists from Birdcage Walk.

To make up for the inconvenience, troops will not have to pay the £30-a-month rent while their central heating and hot water is not working.

John O'Connell, Chief Executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: 'This news will be deeply troubling not just to taxpayers footing the bill but also to those working in the Ministry of Defence who will have been told to find savings.

'Costs need to be kept done and our authorities must be better at prioritising precious resources.

'Stories like these do nothing but confirm the suspicion that departments haven taken the task of cutting out waste seriously enough while citing lack of funds for slashing services.'