Blair and Brown are each claiming more than £100,000 a year from the public purse

All of the UK's living former prime minister's are claiming huge sums off the taxpayer every year to maintain luxury lifestyles.

Gordon Brown, Tony Blair, Sir John Major and Baroness Thatcher each claim more than £100,000 a year from 'public duties allowance' given to former PMs.

This is despite them all going on to earn handsome sums trading on their political clout as advisers to private companies or as speakers on the after-dinner and lecture circuits.

Eyebrows were raised particularly over claims made be Mr Blair, who has reportedly made millions from business deals and speaking since stepping down in 2007. He claimed the maximum former PM's payment of £115,000 last year, the Daily Express reported.

Former Tory premier Mr Major also claimed the maximum 'reimbursement allowance', which is intended 'to meet the costs of continuing to fulfil public duties associated with the role of a former Prime Minister'.

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