STROUD MP Neil Carmichael claimed £3,443 towards the cost of moving his constituency office, new figures show.

The Tory MP moved his base of operations from London Road, Stroud, to Bridge Street, Nailsworth, in July last year as part of a plan to rotate his office around the different parts of the Stroud constituency.

According to the latest information released by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, Mr Carmichael claimed £360 for removal costs while £983 was spent on decorating the new office.

Claims also include £913 for a new telephone system, £500 for new office signage, £120 on redirecting mail and £75 for furniture.

Mr Carmichael said: “In the long run it is cheaper because it is lower rent. A lot of the expenses were unavoidable such as fees.

“It is important to demonstrate commitment to all of my constituents by moving my office around.”