MSPs can claim money back for "expenses" (costs). These must be costs from carrying out their duties in Parliament or helping their constituents.
The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) provides financial assistance to opposition parties in the Parliament. This is sometimes known as 'Short money'.
The table shows the amounts eligible parties actually claimed in the period 2024-25. The annual entitlement per member was £11,690.66.
| Eligible party | Members | Total Eligible Amount | Amounts claimed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party | 31 | £362,410.46 | £359,851.59 |
| Scottish Labour Party | 22 | £257,194.52 | £200,827.76 |
| Scottish Green Party |
6 | £70,143.96 | £68,652.72 |
| Scottish Liberal Democrat Party | 4 | £46,762.64 | £44,645.70 |
| Total | 63 | £736,511.58 | £673,977.77 |
Payments are only be made for expenses that have been incurred. All claims must include a detailed breakdown of the items being claimed, along with a declaration confirming that the expenses were incurred exclusively for the purpose of supporting Members of Parliament affiliated with the Party in the performance of their Parliamentary duties. Additionally, an independent professional auditor must provide an annual certificate to the Parliament.
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party expenses certificate (234KB, pdf) posted 17 December 2025
Scottish Labour Party expenses certificate (381KB, pdf) posted 17 December 2025
Scottish Green Party expenses certificate (284KB, pdf) posted 17 December 2025
Scottish Liberal Democrat Party expenses certificate (381KB, pdf) posted 17 December 2025
The Scotland Act 1998 provided for an Order in Council to allow the SPCB to provide assistance for opposition parties by making payments to registered political parties in the Parliament “for the purpose of assisting members of the Parliament who are connected with such parties to perform their Parliamentary duties.”
Section 97 of the Scotland Act 1998
Order in Council: The Scottish Parliament (Assistance for Registered Political Parties) Order 1999
Air ais
Allowances ratesAir adhart
Search MSP expenses