MSPs taxi bills cost over £50,000 per annum

MSPs taxi bills cost over £50,000 per annum

Last year Members of the Scottish Parliament claimed a total of £51,716.97 in taxi fares.

Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act, reveal that in 1999 - the year the Parliament was established -the total was £25,514.38.

Conservative leader David McLetchie ran up the largest bill, claiming £11,565.19 over six years. The large bills from some members provoked an angry reaction from former Scottish Socialist Party leader Tommy Sheridan, who has claimed only £383.60 in fares since 1999. Sheridan urged MSPs to get about by foot: "There are many MSPs for whom a brisk walk would do the world of good. On top of the Edinburgh Accommodation Allowance scandal, Parliament could do without yet more evidence of politicians helping themselves to money from the public purse."

MSPs claim nearly £52k in taxis (The Scotsman, 30 September 2005)