Barrow's MP has claimed thousands of pounds in expenses this year.

According to expenses submitted to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA), Simon Fell has claimed back £39,000 of expenses between December 2019 and May 2020.

In 2011 IPSA was made responsible for determining MPs’ pay and setting the level of any increase in their salary.

IPSA was set up two years earlier, largely as a response to the parliamentary expenses scandal of 2009.

The most recent data collected from IPSA revealed that Mr Fell claimed back £10,140.79 for office costs this year.

This total includes, £2,814.48 on stationery and printing; £1,788.32 in rent; £5,460.00 in advertising and contact cards; and £77.99 for software and applications.

The MP also claimed back £3,052 for staffing, £2,693.17 for accommodation and £781.20 for travel.

Between 2019 and 2020, Mr Fell has claimed back on a number of items, including: £431 in Heaths on a printer, photocopier and scanner and other office equipment; £224 on a television from Argos; £106 for a banner used at pop up surgeries; and £12.95 for a book.

Mr Fell said his expenses were used to set up and run an office to help him carry out his parliamentary duties.

He said: “Not a penny of this goes to me – these are costs to set up and run an office, including hiring and paying staff, purchasing desks, chairs and computers, and undertaking parliamentary duties on behalf of my constituents.

“I am very conscious of spending public money.”

In April it was announced that MPs would be allowed to claim up to £10,000 for additional office costs incurred as a result of coronavirus.

The money can be used to buy additional equipment such as laptops and printers for staff having to work from home.

MPs can already claim £26,000 to cover office costs.

These extra funds - as first reported in The Times - will be available until March 2021 and come with a relaxation of the rules on evidence of purchases.

In its guidance, published in March IPSA said it was "committed to supporting MPs and their staff to carry on with their work as far as possible" during this "uncertain and challenging time for the country".