Fuel bill for MSPs’ cars rises by £15,000

By ANDREW WHITAKER
Published on 01/07/2012 00:00

MORE than £115,000 was spent on fuel for Scottish Government ministers’ chauffeur-driven cars last year.

Taxpayers were billed £115,751 for fuel costs for the SNP government’s car fleet in 2011-12 – an increase of more than £15,000 on the previous year.

The rise is revealed in documents obtained by Scotland on Sunday under Freedom of Information laws.

The Scottish Government said the increase was due to rising fuel costs.

However, Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie said: “Ministers are happy to lecture the rest of us about the health, environmental and financial benefits of walking, cycling and taking public transport. Yet they fail to heed their own advice.

“The SNP government’s love of the car is clear to see. Hardly a week goes by without them splashing precious cash on a motorway or dual carriageway while they turn their backs on hard-pressed bus and train users and those who prefer to walk or cycle.

“To see the ministers’ petrol bill rocket by £15,000 in the space of a year makes me wonder if we shouldn’t cap their budget.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “The Scottish Government’s priority is to ensure the government car service is delivered in the most efficient and cost-effective manner.

“Fuel prices have soared by nearly 50 per cent since 2007. Our overall business travel costs fell by £500,000 during 2010-11 and we have reduced our ministerial car fleet from 24 to 23 vehicles.”