NEW figures published by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) for 2015/16 confirm that SNP MPs claimed over £1 million less in expenses than their Labour and Liberal Democrat predecessors.

This follows an apology and written confirmation by IPSA for earlier under-reporting the expenses of non-SNP MPs for 2014/15.

Welcoming IPSA’s clarification, Roger Mullin, MP for the Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath constituency, said: “Now that IPSA have corrected their error, we can see that the average SNP MP costs over £21,000 less than their predecessors. This information reveals what many already know: SNP MPs work much harder than former Labour MPs, and also cost much less.

“SNP MPs are providing a united and effective opposition to the Tories in Westminster.”

Mr Mullin also welcomed figures published by the SNP from House of Commons Library research, which show that SNP MPs are some of the most active MPs at Westminster.

Since the 2015 General Election, Mr Mullin said that SNP MPs have: each tabled an average of 80 written Parliamentary questions. In total, SNP MPs have tabled over 4,000 written Parliamentary questions – holding UK Government ministers to account, tabled over 1,000 Early Day Motions – bringing attention to the important issues facing local communities, the people of Scotland and the UK, contributed to the work of 77 Select Committees, Sub-Committees, Bill Committees and Commissions – including chairing 3 Select Committees, voted in an average of 84% of votes that they are eligible to participate in.

Additionally, in 2015/16, SNP MPs spoke in an average of 61 debates, compared to just 27 for their predecessors in 2014-15.