MPs 'claimed phantom council tax'

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Some have raked in thousands of pounds on "phantom" local authority bills, according to the Daily Telegraph.

It said that dozens of MPs' claims for council tax on their second homes had been in excess of town halls' published rates by house band.

Labour MP Eric Illsley is accused of over-claiming by more than £6,000 between 2004 and 2008.

Former minister Beverley Hughes is said to have profited by up to £2,000, Government whip Mark Tami by about £1,500 and ex-home secretary David Blunkett by £178.

Mr Tami said: "I am going to look into whether I have over-claimed and if I have then clearly I will pay back any over-claim."

Tory frontbenchers David Willetts and Jeremy Hunt were reported to have over-claimed for council tax by about £500 each.

Mr Willetts said it is possible that he had "inadvertently" claimed for an 11th month while his council tax bills were divided into only 10.

"If I have inadvertently made incorrect claims I will of course pay any money back," he said.

The Telegraph reported that more than 50 MPs had claimed too much for council tax, including 18 who had already made re-payments to the Commons Fees Office. They include Labour MPs David Kidney, who had apparently returned more than £2,500, Linda Gilroy and Michael Meacher.