MSPs' expenses bill surges by £1.1m

Each MSP spent an average of 62,000 but the scale varied widely from the frugal - the Tory MSP John Young claimed 24,864 - to the extravagant - the Labour MSP Margaret Jamieson claimed 79,998, more than any other MSP.

Ms Jamieson, the member for Kilmarnock and Loudon, refused to talk about her extraordinarily high expenses claim yesterday.

However, a Labour Party spokeswoman explained later that an "over-zealous" official in Ms Jamieson’s constituency office had simply ordered too many pre-paid envelopes and this was the reason for the 16,000 Ms Jamieson claimed for stationery.

In fact, so many pre-paid envelopes were ordered for the office that 13,000 have already had to be returned because there is no room to store them all.

Another Labour MSP, Helen Eadie, the member for Dunfermline East, received the most to cover her office costs - a total of 61,644.90 while the Liberal Democrat MSP for Shetland, Tavish Scott, ran up the biggest travel bill - 26,384.

Ms Eadie uses part of her allowance to pay the wages of her husband, Bob, who works in her constituency office.

She defended this yesterday, stating: "We are a team and Bob is as invaluable and effective an employee to me as any of the colleagues I have worked with."

It is understood that Ms Jamieson - one of a number of MSPs who use their expenses to pay the wages of family members - also employs a close relative, her daughter.

MSPs’ expenses cover everything from staff salaries and office rent to travel costs and stationery. For 2000-1, the total cost to the taxpayer was 6.8 million. This year it had risen to 7.9 million.

A spokesman for the parliament indicated that the 1.1 million jump was due to increases in staff and office costs and changes to national insurance and pension contributions. Each MSP is allowed to spend up to 49,300 on staff and office rent.

The difference in travel costs between MSPs representing the islands and those in the central belt was largely responsible for the disparity in claims made.

However, some MSPs have flats in Edinburgh and they are allowed to use part of their allowance to cover rent or a mortgage if they normally live more than 45 miles from Edinburgh.

Under the rule, MSPs who cannot reasonably commute to the capital on a daily basis can claim up to 9,446.

Tommy Sheridan, the SSP MSP, who does not claim this allowance, said it allowed MSPs to use taxpayers’ money to make a down-payment on property which could later be sold for a profit. He said: "The parliament should purchase property for let to members, as this would be cheaper in the long run and prevent individuals from profiting from the accommodation allowance."

Other MSPs, including some who live within 45 miles of the capital, claim substantial amounts in hotel costs to cover the times they stay in Edinburgh as well as mileage costs to and from their constituency homes.

One notable example is the SNP MSP Kenny Gibson who lives in Glasgow but last year claimed 6,468 for accommodation in Edinburgh and 9,993 to cover his travel to and from Glasgow.

He said: "I drive across almost every day and I stay in an Edinburgh hotel most Tuesday and Wednesday nights, and I also travel a lot around the country."

Top spenders

Total claimed by all current MSPs:

7,924,888 during 2001-2.

This represents an increase of 1.1 million on the figure for 2000-1.

Highest claim for stationery and postage:

Margaret Jamieson (Lab Kilmarnock and Loudon) - 16,514.97, most on pre-paid envelopes.

Highest claim in total:

Margaret Jamieson (Lab Kilmarnock and Loudon) - 79, 998.

Highest claim for member’s allowances (staff salaries and office rent):

Helen Eadie and Robin Harper (Green Lothian) - 49,300 (the maximum allowed).

Highest claim for office costs:

Helen Eadie (Lab Dunfermline East) - 61,644.90.

Highest claim for travel expenses:

Tavish Scott (Lib Dem Shetland) - 26, 384.60.

Highest claim for office furniture:

Angus MacKay (Lab Edinburgh South) - 6,292.83.