By Steve Bargeton, political editor

THE COST of MSPs expenses and allowances broke through the £10 million barrier for the first time last year.

Figures out yesterday show that members received a total of £10.261 million—some £492,000 more than the previous year.

The rise is just over 5% in line with the retail price index inflation at the end of the 2006-07 financial year.

MSPs received a total of £9,745,815 in allowances and expenditure, a rise of 2.89% on the previous year.

They also claimed £509,694 for office supplies, furniture and equipment, a rise of more than 34%, or nearly £131,000, on the year before.

Cash for party leaders also went up, from £1919 to £5775.

Salaries and staff costs for MSPs’ employees accounted for the lion’s share of the spending.

However, this figure actually dropped from £6.498 million in 2005-06 to £6.411 million last year.

The vexed subject of MSPs’ expenses and allowances is being considered by an independent inquiry led by Dundee University principal Sir Alan Langlands.

The full details of every MSPs’ claims and expenses is available on the Scottish Parliament website—www.Scottish. parliament.uk/msp/MSP Allowances/searchGuid ance.htm