Politicians being ‘priced out’ of office spaces in high-cost capital
POLITICIANS in Edinburgh are being priced out of the city, with the capital’s rampant commercial property market leaving at least four MSPS unable to find affordable office space.
Conservative MSPS Miles Briggs, Jeremy Balfour and Sue Webber have been looking for a base for over a year, with little success.
The SNP’S Angus Robertson has only recently found suitable accommodation in his Edinburgh Central constituency, while Green MSP Lorna Slater said cost was a factor in why she decided not to open a local office. And it’s understood the Labour regional group has also struggled with increasing costs.
The issue was raised in parliament last week, with Mr Briggs suggesting Holyrood bosses consider an “Edinburgh weighting”.
The Tory said: “I’m probably the first one to be a cheerleader for not spending taxpayers’ money, but this isn’t working.”
Under the current rules returning MSPS have a yearly allowance of £16,775, while for new members it’s £14,799.
Those elected to represent one of Scotland’s 73 constituencies can claim the full amount, however, in most cases, list MSPS from the same party are expected to share an office.
While one list MSP from a party would be able to claim 100 per cent, two MSPS can each only claim 67% of the amount, while three MSPS can each ask for 47%.
The rules are slightly different for list MSPS in large regional areas, such as the Highlands or the North East, where they can claim for two offices.
For the three Lothian Tories, they can claim slightly more than £20,000 in total to find a space that’s big enough for them.
Until the last election, they had an office in Roseburn in the west end of the city, but after Ruth Davidson stood down and the SNP’S victory in her seat, they found themselves unable to afford the rent.
Finding a suitable replacement that can house them, their staff, is accessible and has space for meetings with constituents, has been difficult.
Mr Briggs said: “Edinburgh’s far more expensive to hire an office. Even in the last parliament we could only afford one office and were right up to the top of our budget. I think all constituent MSPS and regional MSPS are finding it very expensive.”
He added: “We can go and get an office in the middle of nowhere with no built-in space between the front door and the office, but then we would have to spend a lot on security, and even then we’d still be paying up to the top of our budget.” He wants parliament to be “more flexible about resources”.
Iain Taylor, associate in office agency at Ryden in Edinburgh, said there was stock available in the city, but MSPS may have to compromise.
“Edinburgh being Scotland’s capital, university city, home of financial institutions, etc, it’s always held up pretty well, particularly in the core city centre – I mean that £20,000 bracket, that smaller size bracket, that’s particularly active. We see a lot of churn. It doesn’t see the highs and the lows of the high end of the market.”
He said there were still good value places if the politicians were willing to look further afield.
Mr Briggs raised the issue in parliament on Thursday, asking Holyrood’s governing Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body for help.
Replying on behalf of the SPCB, Jackson Carlaw said they recognised that costs in the different regions and cities “are not equal.”
He told MSPS: “We also understand there is a particular issue in Edinburgh and the Lothians and that costs there are particularly high. We recognise that and have tried to build additional funding into the scheme. We are prepared, where it can be evidenced that reasonable premises can be found, to seek to identify additional funding that can be allocated to assist members in that process.”
I’m probably the first one to be a cheerleader for not spending taxpayers’ money, but this isn’t working