Ferrier’s £43,000 expenses claim

Rutherglen and Hamilton West MP Margaret Ferrier claimed £43,237.09 in expenses during the last financial year.

Figures released by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority show she claimed £9860 in London accommodation costs and £394.80 on staff London hotel accommodation costs,

She claimed £ 1045.34 for a computer and £1.50 for a newspaper, as well as £8891.92 on air travel.

Ms Ferrier said: “All expense claims are made within the rules set out by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority.

“I am mindful when money is spent that I have a duty to ensure value for money for the taxpayer.

“Anything claimed as expenses is in order for me to carry out my job as a Member of Parliament and run an office, and there is no personal gain.

“I understand the public interest in MP expenses, given the scandals of the past, and am glad that my constituents are able to vet mine in such a transparent manner.”

Stuart McDonald, who is MP for King’s Park, Castlemilk and Croftfoot claimed £ 83,442 in 2015/ 16. Over £27,000 of that was in travel costs.

Alison Thewliss MP, whose constituency covers Toryglen, claimed £ 61,443 throughout the financial year.

Ms Ferrier made the lowest claim total in South Lanarkshire according to the figures.

Lanark and Hamilton East MP Angela Crawley claimed £52,398.70.

East Kilbride Strathaven and Lesmahagow MP Lisa Cameron and Dumfries- shire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale MP David Mundell claimed a total of £ 64,886.93 and £60,370.23 respectively.

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority was set up following the MPs expenses scandal of 2009.