MSPS’ expenses claims for part of the last year have been published and the SNP’s Emma Harper had the biggest bill of all.
In the six months between April and September 2023, she claimed a total of £43,652.
According to the data published on the Scottish Parliament website, the South of Scotland MSP claimed £10,200 more than any other MSP in the same time period – and over double that of her fellow MSPs in this region.
Ms Harper’s expenses include £5970 on rented accommodation in Edinburgh, £1733.32 in council tax, and £2403.94 on utility bills.
She also claimed £7363.83 on mail, £6604 on printing and photocopying, and £1228.57 on ‘parliamentary travel abroad’.
In addition, her office running costs were £14,547.85.
A spokesman for Ms Harper pointed out she has a ‘considerable’ area to cover as she is a regional MSP covering the South of Scotland, and regularly travels across the ‘vast area’ to engage with constituents.
They said the claim for travel abroad related to her work representing constituents, and added: “All costs claimed are approved by parliament and Emma is absolutely confident that all claims are within the strict rules outlined by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body.”
Meanwhile, the region’s other MSPs claimed between £15,000 and £17,000 during the same time period, with Conservative Oliver Mundell at £16,358.56. His main expenditures were £6886.96 on mailing costs; £1915.20 in mileage; and £1790.40 on printing and photocopying.
Finlay Carson, also Tory, claimed a total of £15,903.55 during 2023, including £6838.59 on Edinburgh accommodation; £1299.99 on council tax and £520.68 on utilities.
Labour MSP Colin Smyth had £15,551.22 of expenses last year, which included £5090.00 for rented accommodation, £2308.51 on council tax and £406.94 on utilities.
The second biggest claim from a single MSP was for £33,366.33 from Karen Adam, the SNP MSP for Banff and Buchan Coast.
And the lowest expenses claim came from South Scotland’s Carol Mochan, Labour, at £5467.44
MSPs’ expenses for the second half of the financial year have not yet been published.
