Hundreds of politicians are entitled to a £10,000 one-off cash grant from their local authority to cover the costs of closing constituency offices, the PA news agency understands.
The money is available - in some cases automatically - despite each MP already being offered a separate £10,000 payment from parliamentary authorities to set up remote working for their staff.It is unclear whether MPs intend to apply for the grant or return any payment made.
The funds are part of a package for small businesses unveiled by Chancellor Rishi Sunak as the Government attempts to keep companies afloat during what economists predict will be the worst global recession in living memory.