A burden on the state

MIRROR INVESTIGATES: BRAVERMAN 2ND-HOME CASH

- NICK SOMMERLAD

>> Tory'milking system' to get utility bills paid

>> She saves! £25K in 5yrs in exes loophole

SUELLA Braverman has been accused of milking the system by claiming taxpayers' cash for her utility bills while millions of people struggle to pay theirs.

The Home Secretary raked in nearly £25,000 in expenses over five years to cover energy and other costs for her main home while staying rent-free at her parents' house when she visits her constituency.

Such handouts are designed to prevent MPs who live outside London from being out of pocket because they have to run two homes - but a Mirror investigation suggests Ms Braverman uses them to pay the household bills on her £1.2million family pad in Bushey, Herts.

Her expenses claims are all within the rules, but the hardline Tory, who earns £67,505 on top of her MP salary of £84,144, has been accused of exploiting a loophole in the system.

Ms Braverman, who recently railed against a "Benefits Street culture", told watchdogs she "fully funds" the home she stays at in Fareham, Hants.

But she failed to mention it is her parents' house and so costs her nothing in rent. Former Committee on Standards in Public Life chairman Sir Alistair Graham said: "This looks like an attempt to game the rules to maximise benefit.