What is really going on in politics? Get our daily email briefing straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

David Cameron has been accused of having a "good time at everyone's expense" after it emerged almost £45,000 has been spent on his public Q&A sessions.

The Prime Minister has held 10 "PM Direct" events so far this year at a cost of £44,165.22 to the taxpayer, according to parliamentary figures released yesterday.

The average cost per session in 2013 has increased compared to previous years and the 11-month total compares to £53,289 spent on 17 PM Direct Events in 2011 and 2012.

Mr Cameron said costs for the events have been "minimised as far as possible".

But Labour MP Jim Cunningham, who unearthed the 2013 figures, said: "There will be events he cannot avoid and we accept that but most of the public are having to pull their belts in and he should be doing that by example."

Mr Cunningham (Coventry South) said people were subject to a variety of cuts, including childcare, with the burden falling largely on women.

He added: "Here is the Prime Minister having a good time at everyone's expense. I don't think he should stop the events. That would be unfair. But he should look at what he can pull from that budget.

"There's no reason in the age of austerity with people suffering pretty badly and a cost of living crisis that he should not look at his budget and lead by example.

"He might not be able to cut the costs but he should explain that and demonstrate publicly he is doing everything he can to minimise the cost."

In 2011, £22,913 was spent on eight PM Direct events at an average cost of around £2,864 each while in 2012 there were nine sessions costing £30,376, an average of around £3,375 each.

The 2013 average per session is around £4,416.

Mr Cameron, in response to Mr Cunningham's written question, said: "PM Direct events provide members of the public with an opportunity to raise local, regional or national issues with me directly.

"Each PM Direct event, including travel, has been arranged in accordance with ministerial and civil service guidelines.

"Costs have been minimised as far as possible. The cost of any security provided by the police is a matter for the relevant police force.

"So far this year there have been 10 PM Direct events at a total cost of £44,165.22."

Mr Cunningham had asked the Premier for the dates and venues of each event, adding: "What the total cost to the public purse was of those events, and what form of transport you used to travel to each such event."