MSPs’ expenses claims fell by more than half a million pounds last year but politicians still claimed more than £12 million.
The total of £12,261,819 for 2012-13 is £557,016 lower than the £12,818,835 paid out the year before.
This represents a 4.35% fall before inflation is taken into account. A Holyrood spokesman said the drop was likely down to the 2011/12 figures including one-off election costs.
A total of 48 MSPs claimed winding-up expenses in 2011 because they stood down before the elections or lost their seat. These included staff salary costs, staff redundancy and office and accommodation costs, which contributed to the higher total in 2011-12.
The Scottish Parliament spokesman said: “The decrease in expenses of more than £500,000 is a reflection of one-off election costs in the previous year but also that 2012-13 represented year two of a two-year pay and expenses freeze for MSPs.”
Disgraced former Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker claimed £259 to send two staff members on a British Red Cross first aid training course.
He also spent £100 on glasses for staff members who needed to carry out computer-intensive duties and his monthly office rent came in at £666.
Dundee City West MSP Joe Fitzpatrick claimed £149 for “internal office decoration” and £473.44 for “office installations”.
Party leaders’ allowances fell around £12,000 over the year period, from £38,368 in 2011-12 to £26,184 in 2012-13.
First Minister Alex Salmond claimed £11,637 on expenses such as office rent, staff mileage, newspapers and phone bills.
Labour leader Johann Lamont spent £18,434, which includes claims for taxis, hotel accommodation in Edinburgh and office costs.
Conservative leader Ruth Davidson claimed back £16,119 in expenses, including £4,899 for hotel stays, and Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie claimed £13,775.
Orkney MSP Liam McArthur claimed the most expenses, £46,931, said to be due to the cost of travelling from his constituency.
Elsewhere MSPs spent £6,720 on tea, coffee and biscuits for meetings and £7,643 on evening meals in hotels.
They also claimed £729 for refreshments while staying in accommodation in Edinburgh, with Labour MSPs Mary Fee and Margaret McDougall claiming a respective £181.85 and £129.65.
A total of £15,861 was spent on training MSP staff.