A West MP has criticised the Commons expenses watchdog as the "most incompetent Government department" because it was preventing MPs from doing their job.

Ian Liddell-Grainger, Conservative MP for Bridgwater and West Somerset, has tabled a series of parliamentary questions to expose the chaos at the heart of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA).

Many MPs claim IPSA, which was created in the wake of last year's expenses scandal, is too complex and time-consuming.

Mr Liddell-Grainger says the slow response to claims means it has made it difficult for his office to buy headed notepaper.

As a result he has asked Government ministers to provide detailed information about the running of IPSA – including how much its board members claim in expenses.

Mr Liddell-Grainger said: "First of all, every single MP is owed money. In some cases £10,000 to £15,000. They are employing 50 agency staff. Their computer has failed. This is the most incompetent organisation and it is preventing MPs doing their jobs."