MSPs costs increase

Peter Swindon • Published 26 Nov 2009 09:12 0 Comments

The expenses bill for MSPs increased last year by more than 8 per cent to £10.9m, the Scottish Parliament has said.

Holyrood bosses put the £876,587 rise in 2008-09 partly down to an increase in members' staff salaries.

Dunfermline East MSP Helen Eadie claimed just over £20,000 in the 12 months from April 2008. Over the same period in 2007/08 she claimed £16,169 while £19,067 was clawed back between April 2006 and March 2007.

Mrs Eadie said, "Aspects where costs have risen considerably over the past year have been energy, monthly newspaper advertising of Advice Surgeries, telephone and postage costs.

"I continue for the tenth year to provide my office free of charge to members of the public. I bought my office in 1999 by mortgage and have paid that mortgage personally over these years.

"I have never claimed any leasing payments, rental or mortgage interest charges from the Scottish Parliament in providing this office. Some MSPs rental charges cost as much as £9000 per annum so over the past ten years up to £90,000 has been saved."

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