Frome's previous MP continued to claim her monthly allowance as a local councillor after she was elected to parliament.

Sarah Dyke represented Milborne Port on South Somerset District Council from 2015, and was subsequently elected in May 2022 to the new Somerset Council as one of two division members for Blackmoor Vale.

Ms Dyke was elected to parliament for the Liberal Democrats in the Somerton and Frome by-election in July 2023, and was subsequently returned at the new Glastonbury and Somerton constituency in the general election held on July 4, 2024.

She formally resigned as a councillor on October 11, around the same time as fellow Lib Dem councillor Dixie Darch – with two by-elections due to be held on November 21 to elect their replacements.

It has now been confirmed that Ms Dyke continued to claim her full council allowance on top of her Westminster salary between her by-election victory and her recent resignation.

The annual salary for an MP is £91,346 as of April 1, 2024 – with MPs also able to claim expenses to run a local office and employ staff to handle casework.

Any additional income an MP receives – whether a paid position, the proceeds of shares, donations from constituents or other remuneration – must be declared on the official register of members' financial interests, which is updated every fortnight.

Elected councillors do not receive a salary for their time, but are provided with a monthly allowance to cover their time and any travel expenses incurred.

The annual allowance for every Somerset Council elected member for 2023/24 was £15,500 – with additional allowances being paid to the leader, other executive members and committee chairs.

Ms Dyke's entry in the members' register confirmed that she received £1,223.38 a month from July 31, 2023 until her resignation for her work as a councillor.

While the register only states she did "seven hours a week" in this role, Ms Dyke's office said she had frequently exceeded this time commitment.

A spokesman said: "She claimed her allowance as an active councillor working over and above her listed hours: working closely on casework, holding community meetings and coffee mornings, supporting Councillor Nicola Clark [the other Blackmoor Vale division member] closely in their work together, and attending council meetings as required as a fully compliant councillor."

Ms Dyke said: "It has been an honour and privilege to serve as the district councillor for Milborne Port from 2015 to 2023, and as a Somerset Councillor for Blackmoor Vale since 2022.

"During that time, I've been incredibly proud to serve residents across the Blackmoor Vale, and I am extremely grateful for their support which took me from a single vote majority to one of over 6,500 votes at the last election.

"My additional responsibilities in Westminster now mean it is only right that I step down to dedicate my time to representing communities throughout Glastonbury and Somerton in parliament and carry on my work as their MP.

"I am proud of what I have been able to achieve alongside my fantastic colleague Nicola Clark, with whom it's been a privilege to work with over the past few years.

"Nicola is a dedicated and talented councillor, and I look forward to working with her to serve residents in the Blackmoor Vale.

"I will also continue to work closely with local councillors in Glastonbury and Somerton for the benefit of people here, whether it's protecting our green spaces and rivers, fighting for better NHS provision in rural areas or to ensure fair funding for our schools."

Somerset Council leader Bill Revans paid tribute to Ms Dyke, stating: "I want to thank Sarah for her service as a Somerset councillor, and before that on the county and district councils.

"Her passion for the area and the environmental and rural issues that are close to her heart shine through in her public service."

Two other Somerset MPs are also currently serving as elected division members on Somerset Council – Yeovil MP Adam Dance (who represents the South Petherton and Islemoor division) and Wells & Mendip Hills MP Tessa Munt (who represents the city of Wells).

Neither individual has indicated that they intend to step down from their council duties in the near-future, though both left their positions on the council's executive before the general election campaign began.