MSPs urged to back expenses rise for extra staff

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-34775617

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MSPs will be asked to approve an increase in their expenses so they can employ an extra staff member.

Holyrood's corporate body, or management committee, has proposed a £23,000 rise in the staffing allowance.

It would allow MSPs to employ three full-time staff members and ensure they are paid the living wage.

The move is aimed at helping them deal with the increased workload the Scottish Parliament's new powers will bring in the next session.

In a letter to all MSPs, Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick said that the parliament's corporate body had a responsibility to support members as the demands of their jobs increased.

Consistency

She called the current system, where MSPs can employ two full-time staff, "not fit for purpose".

A third staff member would allow members to be "properly resourced" to they could hold the government to account, she said.

The corporate body also recommended that there should be consistency in job roles and pay scales for MSPs' employees.

They said MSPs' budgets for staffing should be increased to £85,000 a year.

A ban on claiming back rental expenses for their constituency office if it is owned by their party has also been recommended by the committee.