Scottish MPs spent more than £700k on flights to and from Westminster in a year
Figures from the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, which lists MPs expenses, showed that the 59 MPs spent £736,651.55 on air travel between December 2021 and November 2022.The 45 SNP MPs spent £549,786.62, while the six Conservatives spent £77,838.40 and the four Lib Dem MPs spent £65,712.94. Labour's sole MP Ian Murray spent £9,312.52 while Alba spent £16,404.44.
It comes just months after Scottish Greens co-leader and Scottish Government minister Lorna Slater called for the UK to copy France in banning domestic flights where other forms of travel are available. SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn spent £17,151.96 in flights from his Aberdeen South constituency to Westminster, while Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross spent £9,037.42.
Director of campaign group Transform Scotland Colin Howden said: "Scottish politicians claim to care about climate change yet their actions betray them. If they are really serious about cutting carbon then they should be choosing to travel by train rather than jumping on a plane. Director of campaign group Flight Free UK Anna Hughes said: "At a time of climate crisis, it is irresponsible to be using public funds to pay for carbon-intensive travel between Scottish cities and London, especially when there is a low-carbon alternative available. Taking the train between Edinburgh and London saves more than 90% on carbon emissions compared to a flight.
An SNP spokesperson said: "Scottish MPs are required to travel to Westminster each week - and naturally have higher travel costs due to the longer distance involved.
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