UNELECTED SCOTTISH PEERS TAKE £2 MILLION IN EXPENSES.

UNELECTED SCOTTISH PEERS TAKE £2 MILLION IN EXPENSES.


LORD FOULKES TOPS BILL FOR DAILY COSTS

SNP MP for Glasgow East John Mason today (Sunday) expressed his shock
that unelected Scottish Lords had cost the tax payer over £2 million
in expenses.

Labour Peer Lord Foulkes, also elected as an MSP, has the highest
expenses per visit claiming the equivalent of £305/day - a total of
£54,000 for 94 days work. In contrast Lord Kirkhope claimed £53,000
for 143 days work.

The most expensive overall is Lord Maxton, former MP for Cathcart who
has received £63,504 for 141 days.

Mr Mason said:

“This exposes the scam that is the House of Lords.

“At a time when the public are concerned with how their elected
politicians spend taxpayers money they will be astonished to see the
£2 million bill for unelected members of the House of Lords.

"At least the public have the opportunity to cast their judgement at
the ballot box on MPs, but they have no say over these unelected and
unwanted Lords and Ladies.

“In amongst a few respected figures with moderate claims we have a
convicted fire-raiser and another under investigation in the cash for
access inquiry.

“The House of Lords is an out of date, antiquated institution and now
we know it’s an expensive one as well. As people vote in the European
elections next week there is an opportunity to vote not only for a
strong SNP voice in europe but to send a message to Westminster that
this cannot continue.

“The SNP does not take seats in the House of Lords and while some
peers do good work, these figures suggest it is simply another way for
former politicians to top up their incomes.

“This waste of Westminster resources on unelected Lords reinforces the
case for an independent Scottish Parliament – modern, democratic, and
with the gold standard of allowances systems.”