MPs want a bigger budget for staffing expenses - claiming Brexit is increasing their workloads.

The calls for extra cash for staff, such as assistants and researchers, were revealed in a report by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa).

But it has raised fears that MPs who employ their spouses and other family members could use an increase to boost their family income.

They currently have a budget of £150,900 for staffing costs - rising to £161,550 in London - but can apply to increase these budgets.

Ipsa’s annual report of its survey of MPs said: “There were further requests to further increase MP staffing budgets due to increasing workloads, some of which is the result of Brexit.”

Sir Alistair Graham, former chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, told the Daily Telegraph he feared Brexit could be used as an excuse to boost MPs’ family finances.

“I have always been opposed to MPs being automatically able to employ their spouses. All MPs’ positions should be subject to open competition.”