Taylor Vinters - Solicitors

Nearly a sixth of UK employees admit to tweaking their expenses, making an estimated £200 extra per year on average, according to uSwitch.com.

Some 16 per cent of workers exaggerate their expenses claims, according to a survey by the price comparison website, with four per cent of employees taking their family for meals out at their company's expense.

The results of the poll follow the publication of MP expenses claims under the Freedom of Information Act, which has led to several high-profile resignations across parliament.

Yet despite the public outcry against MPs' expenses, a number of Brits are tweaking their own expenses claims for their personal advantage.

More than a quarter (28 per cent) use their company mobile phone for personal calls, while over half (54 per cent) take stationery home with them.

Louise Bond, personal finance expert at uSwitch.com, suggested that these claims are "perhaps understandable".

She said: "The current climate is undoubtedly tougher than ever for employees when faced with pay cuts and pay freezes.

"Employees must think long and hard, however, before exaggerating or submitting a bogus expense claim as it is unlikely that, what some might regard as a 'harmless' indiscretion, is worth losing a job over."