IRVINE’S two MSPs shared a total of over £53,000 in expenses in a year.

For the year 2013/14, Cunninghame South politician Margaret Burgess claimed £29,291.66 in expenses, a slight rise by just over £53.

Her West Region counterpart Margaret McDougall however claimed £24.582.11 for this year compared with £25,359.13 in 2012/13.

Despite having the higher total of the two, the bulk of Mrs Burgess expenses went towards rental costs spending £16,850.04.

The SNP MSP also claimed £2,095.12 on utilities, £427.08 on running costs, and £1,585.78 on printing and photocopying.

However, unlike Mrs McDougall, Mrs Burgess did not claim back a penny on any travel or accommodation expenses.

Mrs McDougall claimed back £111.02 on taxi fares, £670.66 on rail travel and £306 on car expenses.

The Labour MSP also claimed back £7,375 on hotel accommodation in Edinburgh along with £143.05 on refreshments with an evening meal.

She also claimed a total of £92.52 on tea, coffee and biscuits from meetings - including claiming back £2.10 for a bag of sugar.

In total, MSPs expenses rose to more than £12.5m in the last year, a total of 2.14 per cent.

South Scotland MSP Chic Brodie was the highest claimant in expenses at £54,297. This included £32,000 on contract staff, £7,000 on rental accommodation in Edinburgh and £700 on website costs.