 The amount of information made public has been vastly increased |
Officials at the Scottish Parliament have published unprecedented details of MSPs' expenses claims. The move is intended to reinforce the parliament's reputation as among the most open in the world.
In previous years, about 12 pages of expenses were made available but this year that has increased to about 700.
The total cost of MSPs' allowances, expenses, furniture and equipment increased by �100,000 to �9.5m over the last year.
The publication of the more detailed figures follows the resignation of former Scottish Conservative David McLetchie following controversy over his taxi expenses.
The statistics showed that he claimed more than �2,300 for taxis during 2004-05.
Deputy Finance Minister George Lyon claimed the highest overall sum, more than �67,000.
Western Isles Labour MSP Alasdair Morrison was the top claimant for travel expenses with a bill of almost �20,000.
There was a contrast between the travel expenses of two Scottish National Party list MSPs for Central Scotland, with Alex Neil claiming �11,400 and Michael Matheson just �3,700.
 |  As individuals we contribute to a common pool of funds from our members' support allowances |
Mr Neil pointed out that he lived in Ayr and said his role as a committee convener sometimes led to additional work.
He added: "I've got an attendance record second to none in the constituency."
The Labour MSP for Paisley North, Wendy Alexander, had the highest office supplies bill of more than �15,000.
Green MSPs filled the top six places for claims for members' support allowances (MSA) with a total of �238,303 but the party said this figure was unfairly high as it included the bulk of staff costs.
The MSA for other MSPs excluded these staff costs.
Eleanor Scott, the party's member for the Highlands and Islands, topped the list after claiming more than �43,700. Her PA's salary is included in this figure, as well as salaries for other staff, making her individual claim �13,045.
 The 129 MSPs claimed almost �10m over the last year |
Her partner, the SNP's Rob Gibson, claimed �16,300 in the same constituency.
The Greens' claims were defended by the party's co-leader Shiona Baird, who explained that the seven MSPs shared their staff.
"As individuals we contribute to a common pool of funds from our MSA. The other MSPs, as far as I can gather, don't actually do that," she said.
The majority of the costs incurred by the 129 MSPs were attributed to staff and accommodation.
Allowances and expenditure claims rose by �125,273 to almost �8.7m, although claims for the party leaders' allowance fell by �12,420 to �8,653.
Staff resources
The increased openness was welcomed by Scotland's Information Commissioner Kevin Dunion.
Presiding Officer George Reid said the public had a right to know how MSPs were spending their allowances and it was more proof of Holyrood's commitment to transparency.
It has also been seen as a response to the huge number of Freedom of Information requests being made by the media, which have had an impact on staff resources.
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