By the golden legacy GB’S glorious Games
Scots civil servants spend £8m on f lights
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head of state of an independent Scotland – Scotland and England will be united kingdoms, which is why the question proposed in the Scottish Government consultation is the appropriate one, rather than this poll.
‘The most recent poll to ask the correct referendum question shows just a nine point gap between support for an independent Scotland and the Union, requiring only a 4.5 per cent swing for independence to move ahead. We are very confident indeed of achieving a successful Yes vote for independence in autumn 2014.
‘The terms of the referendum must be decided in Scotland, by the Scottish parliament – not dictated by Westminster – and that includes a possible “more powers” option.
‘It is only right that these matters are carefully and properly considered, which is exactly what the Scottish Government are doing in the consultation.’ SCOTLAND’S army of civil servants are taking a record number of flights as Alex Salmond steps up his independence campaign.
New figures revealed more than £8 million of taxpayers’ money has been spent on 32,000 flights since the SNP took power five years ago – an average of 25 per working day.
This includes more than 4,000 business-class and first-class journeys all over the world, with one luxury return ticket to the US costing more than £7,000.
The figures, released under freedom of information legislation, also revealed thousands of flights between Edinburgh and London.
This is despite a relentless green crusade by the Nationalists urging ordinary Scots to cut out short-haul trips and take the train instead.
SNP ministers refused to reveal how much their own globetrotting flights have cost the taxpayer. But the figures did show that the cost of flights for civil servants accompanying the First Minister on a four-day trip to Los Angeles and San Francisco was £48,000.
Glasgow Labour MSP Paul Martin said: ‘The bill to Scottish taxpayers for officials flying all over the place is sky high.
‘As well as flying Alex Salmond on his jaunts, it is now clear that we pay a fortune to whisk his entourage around with him. Whilst there will always be a need for travel, some of the costs are simply astonishing.
‘In these difficult economic times, everyone has to show restraint and think about how they spend every penny. The SNP just doesn’t get it. They need to review and revise their travel policy immediately.’
The Scottish Government figures showed £8.4 million has been spent on 32,025 flights for civil servants and special advisers since 2007.
Last night, a Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘The Scottish Government has cut the cost of air travel for official business by 44 per cent since 2006-7. Foreign travel is tightly controlled and business class only approved for long flights where it is necessary to deal with official business immediately upon landing.’