MPs locally have claimed more than £1million between them in allowances in one year.

The latest figures show Britain’s members of parliament are claiming more in total than at the height of the expenses scandal in 2009.

The highest claimer locally for 2013-14 was North Dorset MP Robert Walter with a bill of £164,138.

He said: “This issue was dealt with five years ago. We now have an independent standards authority and you should put any questions to them.”

Christchurch MP Christopher Chope, who claimed £107,592, was among members who employed spouses. He hires his wife Christine at between £45,000 and £49,999 a year.

Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns saw his claim drop by £35,000 to £110,502.

He said: “For much of the last 18 months, I didn’t have a secretary.

“My case worker did that job on her own and put an enormous amount of pressure on herself doing it but did it brilliantly.”

He said he had successfully applied for a £2,000 recognition payment for his case worker.

He said he sought to save public money where possible, including making his journeys off-peak using a railcard.

“I still think there’s a difference in mindset between those of us who viewed the expenses scandal as candidates and members of the public and those who were caught up in it as members of parliament,” he said.

“On the whole, the new intake are more modest about how they behave.”

Poole MP Robert Syms, who claimed £117,411, pays his former wife Fiona Syms between £5,000 and £9,999 as a senior parliamentary assistant. He said: “The rules allow people to be employed and if they can do the job well, that’s got to be the key thing.”

He said most MPs were out of pocket under the new expenses system. “I think things are working out quite well. Ipsa (the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority) are putting out the figures on a regular basis and on the whole I haven’t got too many complaints about the system,” he said.

Mid-Dorset and North Poole MP Annette Brooke, who claimed £135,358, said: “The majority of MPs are working really hard and they’re spending money in the way that hopefully gives the best possible service to their constituents.”

Desmond Swayne, MP for New Forest West, was the lowest claimer locally, with a bill of £87,666. He stressed most of the money went on staff and office costs. “I never see any of this money,” he said.

Christopher Chope and Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood could not be reached for comment. South Dorset MP Richard Drax declined to comment.

Robert Walter (Conservative, North Dorset)
Salary: £66,396
Office: £16,575.32
Staffing: £138,234.00
Travel: £5,292.40
Accommodation: £4,036.59
Total allowances: £164,138.31

Richard Drax (Conservative, South Dorset)
Salary: £66,396
Office: £6,397.64
Staffing: £135,408.15
Travel: £4,107.15
Total allowances: £146,452.94 

Tobias Ellwood (Conservative, Bournemouth East)
Salary: £66,396*
Office: £8,570.67
Staffing: £98,718.49
Travel: £10,200.99
Accommodation: £23,879.59
Total allowances: £141,369.74
*These figures date from before Mr Ellwood’s appointment as a government minister. 

Annette Brooke (Lib Dem, Mid-Dorset and North Poole)
Salary: £66,396 plus £10,469.01 for duties on panel of chairs.
Office: £12,989.89
Staffing: £104,520.96
Travel: £2,397.37
Accommodation: £15,450.
Total allowances: £135,358.22 

Robert Syms (Conservative, Poole)
Salary: £66,396
Office: £11,229.41
Staffing: £76,540.51
Travel: £5,319
Accommodation: £24,322.39
Total allowances: £117,411.31
Connected parties; Fiona Syms, senior parliamentary assistant, employed for between £5,000-£9,999 

Conor Burns (Conservative, Bournemouth West)
Office: £9,934.99
Staffing: £76,493.73
Travel: £4,751.68
Accommodation: £19,321.75
Total allowances: £110,502.15.
Reward and recognition payments to staff: £2,000.

Christopher Chope (Conservative, Christchurch)
Salary: £66,396 plus £14,729.96 for duties on panel of chairs.
Office; £17,309.97
Staffing: £77,330.62
Travel: £6,897.40
Accommodation: £6,054.31
Total allowances; £107,592.30
Connected parties: Christine Chope, secretary, employed for between £45,000-£49,999

Desmond Swayne (Conservative, New Forest West) 
Salary: £66,396
Office: £2,477.76
Staffing: £79,810.95
Travel: £1,567.50
Accommodation: £3,766
Total allowances: £87,666
Connected parties: Moira Swayne, office manager, employed for between £5,000-£9,999

Total among seven MPs: £1,010,490.80