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MSPs' expenses increase to £12.5m MSPs' expenses increase to £12.5m
(35 minutes later)
MSPs' expenses rose to more than £12.5m last year, according to new figures from the Scottish Parliament.MSPs' expenses rose to more than £12.5m last year, according to new figures from the Scottish Parliament.
The total claimed in 2013-14 was £12,523,959, an increase of £262,140 on the figure for 2012-13.The total claimed in 2013-14 was £12,523,959, an increase of £262,140 on the figure for 2012-13.
While staff salary costs rose, party leaders' allowances were down by 31%.While staff salary costs rose, party leaders' allowances were down by 31%.
A Scottish Parliament spokeswoman said: "The 2.14% rise in members' expenses last year broadly reflects the effect of inflation on office costs and on staff salaries."A Scottish Parliament spokeswoman said: "The 2.14% rise in members' expenses last year broadly reflects the effect of inflation on office costs and on staff salaries."
Have a look at what your local MSP claimed, on the parliament's expenses database.Have a look at what your local MSP claimed, on the parliament's expenses database.
The combined cost of staff salaries, pensions and national insurance contributions in 2013-14 was £9,080,336, up from £8,915,847 in 2012-13.The combined cost of staff salaries, pensions and national insurance contributions in 2013-14 was £9,080,336, up from £8,915,847 in 2012-13.
The figure included winding up costs for members' staff of £200,697 in 2013-14, up from £25,940 in 2012-13.The figure included winding up costs for members' staff of £200,697 in 2013-14, up from £25,940 in 2012-13.
Total expenditure on childcare vouchers was £22,439, compared with £24,032 in 2012-13. The deaths of MSPs Brian Adam, Helen Eadie and David McLetchie, and the resignation of Bill Walker following his conviction for domestic abuse, contributed to the rise in winding up costs.
Total security and disability provision expenditure was £21,703, up from £17,178 in the previous financial year. Elsewhere, the parliament said:
Stationary and postage costs increased by over 10% over the year, from £486,450 in 2012-13 to £536,101 in 2013-14. And despite the overall increase, party leaders' allowances fell by almost a third, from £26,184 in 2012-13 to £17,957.
However, party leaders' allowances fell by almost a third, from £26,184 in 2012-13 to £17,957. Details of total claims for the party leaders showed:
UK inflation figures for August 2014 showed that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) dropped 0.1 of a percentage point from 1.6% in July.UK inflation figures for August 2014 showed that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) dropped 0.1 of a percentage point from 1.6% in July.
The rate of Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation, which is calculated differently and includes housing costs, was down slightly from 2.5% to 2.4%.The rate of Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation, which is calculated differently and includes housing costs, was down slightly from 2.5% to 2.4%.