MPS representing constituencies in East Lancashire have defended claiming a total of almost £2,500 in expenses for energy bills on their second homes or offices.

An investigation by a national newspaper found that 340 MPs had claimed a combined £200,000 for gas and electricity over the 12 months to March this year.

The revelation comes at a time when rising energy prices have seen millions of people nationwide struggle to meet the increasing costs of fuel.

Chancellor George Osborne is said to be looking at changes to how green power projects and home insulation schemes are funded in order to reduce household energy bills by up to £75 a year.

In East Lancashire, Blackburn MP Jack Straw claimed the most, with bills of £956.13.

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans claimed £848.76, with Hyndburn’s Graham Jones taking £423.03.

Gordon Birtwistle, MP for Burnley, claimed £149.23 and Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson £100.74.

Among the 310 MPs who did not claim anything were Rossendale and Darwen’s Jake Berry and Chorley MP Lindsay Hoyle.

But those involved said they were perfectly entitled to claim the expenses which would not have been incurred had they not been elected MPs.

Mr Straw said: “It is absurd for them to claim MPs should have to pay for energy bills for their second homes out of their salaries.

“We live in two different places at once and what we claim for is what it costs.”

Mr Evans said: “I share a property with another MP and this is part of the second home allowance.

“They are very strict on what MPs can and cannot claim and this is one of the things we are entitled to.

“This investigation is a sensationalist and misleading piece of journalism.

“We all pay our bills on our constituency homes, in my case in the Ribble Valley, out of our own money and do not claim a penny for it.”

Mr Jones said: “These people would have MPs sleeping on park benches.

“I have to heat my office as I have got two people working in there and constituents coming in.”

Mr Stephenson said: “After being elected, for the first year I rented a property in London with three other MPs, which is where the money was claimed.

“My main home is in Colne where I pay my own bills.

“For the past year I have not had London accommodation as I stay at a friend’s house rent-free and thus do not claim any energy bills.”

Mr Birtwistle said: “If I was not an MP I wouldn’t have that flat in London, so I wouldn’t have those extra bills.

“I have a flat in London provided by the state, so it pays the rent and the council tax.”