DUP MPs claimed almost £3,000 in energy costs for their London homes, according to figures from the Westminster watchdog.
Six DUP MPs, including party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, were among more than 300 members of the House of Commons who claimed funds for their accommodation expenditure
MPs are permitted to claim utility costs on expenses at one of their homes, whether in London or their constituency.
Sinn Féin MPs, who do not take their seats at Westminster, can claim for hotels when in London on parliamentary business.
The party’s MPs claimed close to £3,500 in costs, with Chris Hazzard last year spending the most – £1,750 – between July and November last year, figures from the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority show.
The DUP's Gregory Campbell claimed £1,031 for utility bills, including £142.50 of water costs.
Ian Paisley and Carla Lockhart claimed £64.61 and £1,047.52 for electricity respectively, while Gavin Robinson claimed £25.47.
The DUP told the Belfast Telegraph the sum claimed for Ms Lockhart represented three years of costs that the Upper Bann MP was “unable to collect previously”.
Sammy Wilson claimed almost £500 for heating, electricity and water. He is the only local MP to have charged for cleaning (£177) and moving (£340) fees.
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson claimed £251.51 for heating and electric.
Jim Shannon and Paul Girvan of the DUP opted for hotel accommodation instead of second homes. Mr Shannon claimed £10,841.68 while Mr Girvan claimed £5,304.53.
Alliance MP Stephen Farry also claimed £6,139.98 for hotels.
The SDLP’s Colum Eastwood didn’t claim any utility bills for his second home in London. His claim for rent came to £23,730.
Party colleague Claire Hanna claimed £5,006.80 for hotels.
Over the past three years MPs have claimed £692,000 to cover utility costs, with £538,000 of that for heating bills.
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll said: “The fact some DUP MPs can claim over £1,000 to cover the costs of energy bills whilst their constituents are still waiting on energy support payments to come through really shows that it truly is one law for MPs and one for everybody else.
“It is cruelly ironic that MPs who will have no worries about their homes being heated this winter, as the cost is covered by the public purse, refuse to take the action needed to curb the excessive rise in prices to protect people this winter.”
