MSPs expenses claims up to £12.8m last year

Scottish Parliament windows - Holyrood

Members of the Scottish Parliament claimed for £12.8m worth of expenses in the last financial year, according to the latest figures released by Holyrood’s finance department.

The figure represents a rise of £272,203 in cash terms since the previous year, which a parliament spokesman said was “in line with inflation”.

Expenses on stationary, postage and the party leader’s allowance went down, but personal expenses saw a rise of £277,782 to £12,236,778.

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The majority of the figure, £9,541,464, was paid to MSPs’ staff including researchers and those in the constituency offices. There was £27,574 was spent on childcare vouchers.

Unsurprisingly, the MSPs with the biggest expenses bills were those who represent the northern isles, with Shetland MSP Tavish Scott topping the list at £58,680. Orkney MSP Liam Mcarthur claimed £48,495.

Former SNP Highland MSP Mike Mackenzie was next, claiming £38,218.

Now departed Tory MSP Sir Jamie McGrigor claimed £113 for a taxi to the airport in an expensive trip to Norway. The Press Association has reported the train would have cost £8.50 and is 10 minutes faster.

Conservative Gavin Brown claimed for only £155, while Labour’s Lesley Brennan, who replaced Richard Baker for just 70 days, managed to rack up £9,030 in expenses in that time.

The Scottish Greens’ support group claimed 78p, the Lib Dems £245.75, Scottish Conservatives £4,803. Scottish Labour’s support group claimed £10,248, while the SNP group claimed £35,058.