What MSPs tried to expense – and why Parliament said no
Parliament officials said as this information was not required under their financial procedures, it was not held and therefore not releasable under FOI.
READ MORE
Rejected claims included several travel expenses related to party-political activity — including an interview with STV and party spokesperson events.
One Scottish Government minister also attempted to claim travel expenses for attending a ministerial event, even though Holyrood expenses can only be claimed for duties carried out in Parliament or for assisting constituents.
Other unsuccessful claims included a subscription X, which the Holyrood authorities said was "political."
Bids to reclaim the cost of a party newsletter, and festive greeting cards were also turned down.
Politicians had to pick up their own food and drink bills too, with MSPs turned down for reimbursement for tea and coffee, and lunch at a 'team day.'
Meanwhile, one MSP was knocked back in their attempt to claim for the cost of picture frames so they could display motions for constituents.
Another failed to have the cost of garden plant canes reimbursed on the basis there was no provision for it in the scheme.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Parliament said: 'MSPs are reimbursed for costs incurred in carrying out their parliamentary duties. Party political-related costs and sundry items such as Christmas cards are not, however, covered by the scheme.'
Last year it emerged that the amount claimed in expenses by MSPs had soared by nearly £2 million in a year.
Figures released by the Scottish Parliament show expenses for the 2023/24 financial year reached £25.35 million, up by £1.89 million — 8% — on 2022/23.
Some £20.6 million (81%) of the money was used to cover staff costs at MSPs' parliamentary and constituency offices. The rest was used on the costs of running an office, travel and accommodation, among other things.
The party leaders' allowance ballooned by 63% to £46,012 – up from £28,220 the year before.
It is the second consecutive year the figure has nearly doubled. In 2021/22, the leaders' allowance was just £11,510, although it was £38,778 in 2020/21 and £36,873 in 2019/20.
Earlier this month, the *Daily Mail* revealed a string of similar rejections at Westminster, with claims for luxury homewares, meals and even flowers knocked back.
Unlike in Holyrood, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) revealed names and costs.
Labour MP Sean Woodcock attempted to claim £216 for duvets, Egyptian cotton towels and shower cream from Marks & Spencer, but was told the expenses watchdog does not permit furnishings or home goods.
Another Labour MP, Dr Simon Opher, had a £46 claim for flowers rejected, while Gill Furniss submitted £210 for a gaming desk and office chair — also refused. Luke Myer tried to claim £155 for a three-door wardrobe to store stationery, but was told IPSA rules only allow furniture for constituency offices.
Chris Webb, who won a by-election in Blackpool South last year, submitted a £2,100 claim for videography services, and Anna Turley sought £500 for speechwriting support — both rejected.
LibDem MP Lee Dillon was turned down after trying to charge £204.95 for a Christmas meal for his team, including steak, scallops and pudding.
Former SNP MP Steven Bonnar sought £5,160 for a staff training course more than two months after losing his seat — a claim also rejected.
He told the paper: 'As you'd expect, I was keen that my staff got whatever support they could during the post-election period prior to the closure of my office and the end of their employment. In this one instance, a request was turned down, which I have no issue with.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald Scotland
5 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Colleges need urgent reform to escape survival mode
The scale of change we face globally is immense. From artificial intelligence and climate disruption to demographic shifts and youth mental health pressures, the world of work is also transforming fast. There's a skills shortage for people in middle to later life, coupled with the rapid pace of change that jobs and roles are going through. Nearly half of current jobs could vanish or evolve in the next decade. I previously co-authored the Entrepreneurial Campus Blueprint for the Scottish Government. As with that research, for colleges I was keen to look at not what current best practice in Scotland or the UK is, but what is considered "World Class Technical Vocational Education and Training Delivery" as I believe that provides a more valuable benchmark. But what does world class look like? It starts with colleges being at the heart of government priorities – priorities which are set in consultation with employers to help connect what the economy needs to the education and training on offer. Countries that are doing well at providing great vocational training are often funding their colleges from their Economy portfolio, or equivalent departments. This instantly clarifies that colleges provide skilled workers who add to economic growth and enhance national prosperity. World class is also about esteem – at the top of the league, colleges are recognised and valued politically and socially, by the media and by parliamentarians, as part and parcel of critical infrastructure which supports economic growth. There is alignment with economic policy and recognition of the social role that colleges play in their communities. Read more: Around the world, vocational systems are modernising at pace. Colleges are pivoting to blended, immersive, employer-led models. Online learning, AI, and credentials aligned to business needs are now standard. High-performing colleges in other countries partner closely with industry and have centralised core digital and innovation functions. Colleges are marketing their courses internationally to bring in additional income and gain financial sustainability, and again listening closely to what employers and students want. World class also means that in the classroom, hands-on learning is balanced with digital access, with great online blended learning offers, suited to both the learner and employer. And as organisations, colleges that are thriving in other places are resilient, nimble, and recognised for what they truly are: engines of transformation. Currently, however, colleges in Scotland are in survival mode. But Scotland could turn this around. To do this, colleges need greater and more stable investment and stronger political recognition for the work they do for individuals, families, employers and communities. The economic and social impact of colleges should also be much more highly recognised. The themes I've reported on are already happening. The future is now. I'm clear this future should include colleges at the heart of a world-class technical vocational education and training system in Scotland. Professor Joe Little is Digital Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Stirling.
Telegraph
6 minutes ago
- Telegraph
A long-term plan is needed to get the country out of its financial hole
SIR – Whether by raising income tax rates, a wealth tax or through less overt measures, the Government will try to extract more money from the people that it serves ('Reeves facing £50bn black hole as tax pressure mounts ', report, August 6). However, such measures risk being self-defeating. Those who are unable or unwilling to leave the country will bear the brunt of the tax rises. That includes standard and higher-rate taxpayers. Every pound the Government extracts from their bank accounts is a pound that cannot be spent on businesses that provide goods and services. Thus, businesses will take another hit which, in turn, will reduce their tax payments. Since the failure of the Truss administration, there has been no long-term plan to get the country out of its financial hole. Eventually, there will have to be one and it will likely involve curbing the insatiable appetite of government to control and spend. When such a plan sees the light of day we may be surprised at the boost it gives to confidence and investment. David Porter Plymouth, Devon SIR – Labour dug itself a financial hole when it pledged not to increase National Insurance (NI), VAT or income tax rates. Instead of imposing VAT on private schools and possibly even on private health, a simple 1 or 2 per cent rise on NI and/or the basic rate of income tax would have solved the Chancellor's problems. Now she is having to cast her net wider – and creating more problems as a result. John Tilsiter Radlett, Hertfordshire SIR – Taxing jobs and taxing capital is not going to result in economic growth. Is it too much to expect a former Bank of England economist to grasp this? Patrick Loxdale Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SIR – There is a limit to which any economy can be taxed. The UK is at that limit. The British public understands this. It is plain that public sector expenditure must be cut to balance the books. Given the Government throws billions around like confetti – on the Chagos Islands, the immigration fiasco, welfare, public sector pay rises, excessive numbers of civil servants – there is much low-hanging fruit. The economy is being badly managed as never before. Enough is enough. Please can we have some economic sanity. Stuart Moore Bramham, West Yorkshire SIR – Having continually criticised the Conservatives for the last 12 months for creating a £22bn black hole in the public finances, I trust Labour will now be constantly criticising itself for doubling the deficit. Paul Webster Dyserth, Denbighshire
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
Colleges must escape 'survival mode' to reach full potential
Prof Little, Digital Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Stirling, is a Futurist, someone who studies and prepares for the future. He said that Scotland's colleges could benefit from adopting this strategic perspective. 'Futurism is not about prediction, as there are no facts in the future. Instead, it is fundamentally all about preparation for possible futures. 'Futurism involves looking for signals of the future, identifying patterns, trends, and drivers. Then, exploring a range of possible futures that those elements may evolve into. 'Then planning for them.' He wrote that the economic landscape is changing rapidly, and innovations in artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies are speeding up that evolution. 'Back in 2022, to an audience of Scottish skills educators and administrators, I cited a statistic suggesting that '85% of jobs that will exist in 2030 haven't been invented yet.'' In his report, he argued that colleges are best placed to be the source of learning for these future jobs, but identified several issues that he believes are holding colleges back, including a reduction in public investment, uneven engagement with businesses, unclear priorities from the Scottish Government, and little room for talk about colleges in discussions about higher education funding. Read more: He added that Scotland could face further challenges, including student dropout rates caused by rising mental health issues in young people and an increase in demand for additional support needs (ASN) across the country. Looking to the future, Prof Little argued that colleges in Scotland could become 'world-class' in vocational and technical education. Professor Joe Little, Digital Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Stirling, has written a new report calling for Scotland's colleges to be at the heart of future skills education. (Image: Prof Joe Little) In order to do so, he recommended that 'as much support as possible is afforded to Scotland's colleges politically, and that colleges work together closely, to achieve success and economies of scale in delivering results for students and society. 'Colleges have always played a vital role in Scottish civic life, and there is a bright future for Scotland's colleges if far more strategic ambition is put towards their success.' He wrote that the current 24 college structure leaves most colleges 'struggling to survive year-on-year' and 'almost no reward for innovation and commercial entrepreneurship within the institutions". 'My view is that a new model is needed for Scotland that will deal directly with the issues constraining the 24 colleges and provide a more hopeful future for the sector and indeed move from 'survival mode' to recognised as 'world-class.'' Writing exclusively for The Herald following the publication of his report, Prof Little said that urgent changes are needed for Scotland's colleges to take advantage of the opportunities he has highlighted. 'It starts with colleges being at the heart of government priorities – priorities which are set in consultation with employers to help connect what the economy needs to the education and training on offer. 'Countries that are doing well at providing great vocational training are often funding their colleges from their Economy portfolio, or equivalent departments. This instantly clarifies that colleges provide skilled workers who add to economic growth and enhance national prosperity.' Prof Little argued that Scotland's colleges have a chance to escape 'survival mode.' 'To do this, colleges need greater and more stable investment and stronger recognition politically for the work they do for individuals, families, employers and communities. The economic and social impact of colleges should also be much more highly recognised. 'I'm clear this future should include colleges at the heart of a world-class technical vocational education and training system in Scotland.' The Scottish Government has recognised the importance of skills training, and there are potential changes in the works for further education, particularly in terms of the funding structure. The Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill being considered by the Scottish Parliament could see funding for national training programmes and apprenticeships consolidated within a redesigned Scottish Funding Council. Official statistics published by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) showed a record number of vocational and technical qualifications and awards in 2025. The total of 110,380 represents a 22.6% increase compared to 2024. In response to Prof Little's report, a Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'Colleges play a vital role which is why we have provided an uplift in funding for the sector in this year's budget. 'The Scottish Government accepts the premise of the key provisions set out in the independent review of skills delivery by James Withers, and work is underway to take forward the Post-School Education and Skills Reform Programme. 'We are clear about the importance and status of vocational pathways and it is very positive that the number of passes in vocational and technical qualifications reached a record high in this year's exam results.
