Parliament announces date of publication of allowances expenditure for 2004/2005

120/2005 | 12 December 2005

Tomorrow, the Scottish Parliament takes the first of two steps as part of its committed programme to fuller disclosure of MSP allowances expenditure:

• On Tuesday 13 December, MSP expenditure for 2004/2005 will be published in a new format, totalling around 700 pages of information across a maximum of 14 headings, with detailed breakdowns contained within a new range of sub-headings.

• Around the end of January 2006, the Parliament will build on the increased high level of detail available for 2004/2005 by publishing MSPs' supporting documentation in respect of allowances expenditure for the first two quarters of 2005/2006.

Owing to the immense level of information being published this week, issues of data protection have arisen. As a result, staff remuneration, security, childcare and disability will be presented as total amounts for all 129 MSPs. The data will be made available on the Parliament's website and print copies on request from the Parliament. Further information on this will be available in the SPICe briefing also published tomorrow.

Presiding Officer George Reid MSP said:

"The public have a right to know how their representatives are spending the allowances provided to help them do their jobs and we are committed to delivering that transparency and accountability.

"We are developing new systems for future use to make it easier for the allowances information which is routinely gathered to be published and Parliament staff are currently working with MSPs on this.

"However, our commitment to openness and accountability cannot and should not compromise an MSP's ability to represent their constituents. Issues around personal security, bank details and third parties remain a concern and we look forward to hearing the views of the Joint Working Group on how these might be addressed."

Comparisons with previous years' publications

In previous years, information has been published in nine columns of figures, grouped together under seven allowances types and payments, typically resulting in 12 pages of data.

Under the new standard format being published tomorrow, the detail will be made available across a maximum of 14 allowances headings and spanning approximately 700 pages.

Next steps

Preparing the data for the first two quarters of 2005/2006 will involve the electronic scanning and processing of claim forms, invoices and receipts. This is expected to be costly.

Background

Details of the Joint Working Group were announced on 24 November:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/nmCentre/news/news-05/pa05-114.htm

Corporate Body member Nora Radcliffe MSP chairs the Group, which includes five senior Parliamentary officials, and the following MSPs:

• Robin Harper MSP

• Derek Brownlee MSP

• Alasdair Morgan MSP

• Margaret Smith MSP

• Cathy Peattie MSP

• Rosemary Byrne MSP

• Margo MacDonald MSP (updated 13/12/2005)

Text of the Presiding Officer's letter to MSPs on 1 November:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/corporate/spcb/publications/index.htm

Links to the SPCB minutes and associated papers where Allowances was discussed (8 and 16 November) can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/corporate/spcb/minutes/index.htm

Information on allowances is currently published on an annual basis. Details of 2003 / 2004 can be found here:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/nmCentre/news/news-04/pa04-077.htm

The Parliament's media contact is:

Sally Coyne Tel: 0131 348 6269
RNID TypeTalk calls welcome
email: sally.coyne@scottish.parliament.uk

For public information enquiries, contact: 0131 348 5000 or 0845 278 1999 (local call rate)
Text phone: 0131 348 3415 RNID Typetalk calls welcome
email: sp.info@scottish.parliament.uk

Visit our website at: www.scottish.parliament.uk