Taxpayers foot £27m record MSP expenses

MSPS racked up a record sum in expenses claims in 2024/25 as hardpressed Scots taxpayers were hit with a huge bill of more than £27million.

- BY DAVID WALKER Scottish Politics Reporter

Holyrood politicians charged the public purse for hundreds of everyday items like bleach and electric radiators. The bill was the largest ever in the history of devolution.

Bleach

According to the latest expenses figures, the total sum handed over to MSPs soared by almost £2.1m (7.6%) in 2024/25 compared to the previous financial year. Among the everyday items making up the £27.45m bill are former First Minister Humza Yousaf’s sponge scourer, Culture Secretary Angus Robertson’s replacement toilet seat, and SNP MSP Colin Beattie claiming for a bottle of bleach.

‘These purchases will enrage Scots who have to deal with being the highest taxed region of the UK — and with household bills rising even further.