It’s been revealed that the Scottish Government spent £1 million on chauffeur driven limos for ministerial officials over the last 12 months.

Breaking down the figure, £929,899 was the total amount spent on chauffeur cars in the last year, with a further £65,759 being spent on private hire vehicles.

A fleet of 25 official cars are used to chauffeur around Scottish government ministers while on official business. However the cost of maintaining this fleet of chauffeur cars has risen dramatically in the last few years which may be contributing to the large bill. In the last 12 months the running costs and staff bill needed to maintain the fleet has risen by £21,000.

A Labour MP has called the figure “astonishing” and is asking why during a time of severe cut backs to government spending, Scottish officials are not forsaking the luxury of chauffeur driven car to help save money.

However the Scottish Government have released a statement to defend the £1 million bill for chauffeur cars saying the amount spent on ministerial travel has actually decreased by a £1 million with the figure coming down from £5.9 million to £4.9 million between 2009-2010.  It was also added that spending on private hire vehicles, which is only used as “last resort” has also been significantly reduced.