The Scottish National Party has released figures showing that the House of Commons has spent more than £20 million on refurbishment and improvement works since the 2014 Scottish independence referendum.
Revealing the True Cost of Westminster
The data, obtained by the SNP through a Freedom of Information request, reveals a total expenditure of £20,107,400 on the parliamentary estate since the historic vote. The party argues this sum starkly "highlights the true cost of Westminster" to the UK taxpayer.
According to the SNP, the spending for the 2024/25 financial year reached a record high of £2.5 million. The party has framed this amount in relatable terms, stating it is equivalent to the annual salaries of 74 nurses in Scotland.
A Damning Indictment Amid Crisis
SNP MP Brendan O'Hara issued a scathing critique of the expenditure. He stated that the data paints a damning picture of a Westminster system where, during a government-induced cost-of-living crisis, public money is funneled into lavish parliamentary upgrades.
"This Christmas, while families across Scotland will be choosing between heating and eating, the House of Commons will be choosing between which expensive renovations should take place first in the new year as a present from the people of this country," O'Hara said.
Independence as the Alternative
O'Hara contrasted the spending in London with the priorities of the SNP government in Scotland. He emphasised that while Westminster spends millions on its estate, the SNP is focused on reducing NHS waiting lists, growing the economy, and tackling child poverty.
The MP used the figures to bolster the case for Scottish independence, arguing: "If Westminster has splashed £20 million on refurbishment costs alone since the independence referendum, just think of the money drained by the broken system overall since 2014 – it’s clear that Scotland can, and will, do better with the right to decide our own future."
The UK Government and the House of Commons authorities were approached for comment on the SNP's claims.
