Scotland Office’s credit card spend criticised by SNP

A review of Scotland Office spending has been demanded by the SNP after a significant rise in the use of taxpayer-funded government credit cards.

Figures obtained by the SNP show that Scotland Office “procurement card” spending on items above the value of £500 has soared by 795% under Scottish Secretary David Mundell.

Purchases include furniture from DFS, Apple laptops, computer software and Twitter adverts.

Spending under Mundell has reached £50,061 over 50 months, an average of £12,125 a year.

Under predecessors Alistair Carmichael and Michael Moore average annual spending on the cards was £3552 and £1355 respectively.

Scotland Office annual departmental spend over £25,000 has also risen to £126,137 and overseas travel £13,662 under Mundell.

SNP MP Deidre Brock said: “David Mundell needs to put the credit card away – and urgently explain why there has been such an astronomical and indefensible increase in taxpayers’ cash being frittered away by his zombie department.

“The Tory Scottish Secretary has presided over soaring levels of public spending, with no discernible benefit to the taxpayer – whose money is being wasted on a Tory propaganda campaign.

“Shockingly, these huge increases in spending on foreign trips, spin doctors, social media advertising and posh drinks receptions, have come at the same time the Tory government has imposed austerity cuts on Scotland’s budget.

“It’s time for an urgent review into why expenditure keeps going up when the responsibilities of the Scotland Office are in terminal decline.”

A UK Government spokesperson said: “The Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland represents Scottish interests at the heart of Whitehall and promotes the work of the UK Government in Scotland.

“At a time when the Scottish Government is doing all it can to bring about divisive and unwanted constitutional change, the role of the Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland is more important than ever.

“People in Scotland chose to remain part of a strong UK and the UK Government is working hard for them.”

A Scotland Office source added: “We are absolutely satisfied our communications spend represents good value for the taxpayer.

“It is vital that we explain the work of the UK Government and the value of the Union.

“Deidre Brock appears happy for the Scottish Government to spend any amount of money promoting independence.”