Civil society minister, who also claimed 60p for a bike journey, admitted such small claims may look odd but said ‘the mileage does add up’

A Tory minister who claimed 9p on expenses for a 352-yard car journey has defended the cost, but admitted such small claims may look “odd”.

Rob Wilson, the MP for Reading East, has made a number of claims for short journeys, with many coming in under £1, but said over the course of a year the mileage “does add up”.

During the financial year 2013-14, the minister for civil society claimed expenses for a 528-yard car journey to a business meeting, at a cost of 13p, and another to a Google business event in his constituency which cost him 68p.

The 9p journey was made on 29 March last year and labelled a “constituency engagement”. Wilson also claimed 60p for a journey he made in November last year on his bicycle between his constituency office, a railway station and his home.

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His total expenses claimed over the course of the year came to £173,885.42, of which payroll costs made up £141,731.88.

The claims, which are available to view on the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) website, also cover parking fees, food and drink for both Wilson and interns, rail journeys and office costs.

From the end of this month Wilson’s pay packet will rise to £74,000 in line with an Ipsa recommendation for salary increases for MPs. His annual wage is also topped up by a ministerial entitlement.

Wilson said his expense claims reflect an MP trying to “stay connected” and do as much as possible in the time available. He told the Metro: “I am a very active local MP and I get out and about to meet my constituents every week. I do use my car to cut down the travelling time so I can visit as many constituents and local organisations in the time available.

“Many of my journeys are over fairly short distances of a few miles, but with a number of visits each week, over a year the mileage does add up. I can see how small claims might look odd but it is important that all MPs do the job properly and stay connected with local people.”

He also claimed he has saved the taxpayer “hundreds of thousands of pounds over the past 10 years” by travelling to London by train instead of staying in hotels in the city or renting somewhere.

Wilson said: “I have never claimed a single penny in accommodation expenses despite late Commons sittings. However, as I do commute most days it does mean I incur parking and mileage expenses instead. Whilst some may wish me to walk or cycle home after arrival at Reading station late at night, my constituents understand that would not be practical.”