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Decrease in MSPs' expenses bill Decrease in MSPs' expenses bill
(about 3 hours later)
The level of expenses claimed by MSPs has gone down, according to the latest figures released by parliament chiefs.The level of expenses claimed by MSPs has gone down, according to the latest figures released by parliament chiefs.
They claimed £10.25m on travel, accommodation, staff and office costs in the year to the end of March 2008. They claimed £10.25m on travel, accommodation, staff and office costs in the year to the end of March 2008, £10,000 less than the previous year.
The figure was £10,000 down on the previous year, although this may be because parliament was dissolved during the 2007 Holyrood election campaign. Scottish Lib Dem leader Tavish Scott was the highest claimant, with £54,434, although he represents the far-flung Shetland constituency.
Independent Margo Macdonald claimed the least amount, £1,960.
Ms Macdonald - a Lothian list MSP - lives in Edinburgh and operates solely out of her office in the Scottish Parliament building.
The drop in the overall bill was partly put down to the 2007 Holyrood election campaign, during which parliament was dissolved.
Tory Highlands and Islands list MSP Jamie McGrigor was the second highest claiming member, with a total of £44,564, followed by Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles, who represents West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, whose claims came to £44,332.
MSPs currently earn £55,381, with ministers and officeholders earning a further salary on top.MSPs currently earn £55,381, with ministers and officeholders earning a further salary on top.
Scottish Parliament bosses also said the election, where some MSPs lost their seats, would see an increase in some types of allowances, such as winding-up costs. Scottish Parliament bosses also said the last election, where some MSPs lost their seats, would see an increase in some types of allowances, such as winding-up costs.