The total was £876,587 more than in the previous year, a rise of 8.7%.

Figures showed that £10.96 million was spent on staff costs and other MSP expenses and allowances, during the financial year 2008-09.

Numbers for the final quarter of that year were published today, allowing the total for the year to be calculated.

Most of the cash was spent on staff and salaries, and this also accounted for most of the increase.

A total of £7.32 million was spent on staff, compared with £6.744 million the previous year.

Spending on office supplies soared by 31.12%, from £363,743 to £476,931.

An increase in postal charges was said to be the main factor in the increase.

John Lamont, Tory MSP for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, spent the most on office supplies at £26,952.

Fellow Tory Elizabeth Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife region, was the lowest, spending just £146.91.

A total of £37,453 was spent on childcare vouchers for MSPs and their staff, down on the previous year’s £39,884.

A Holyrood spokesman said last year’s increase in staff salary costs stemmed from an independent review of the parliamentary allowances scheme, whose recommendations on salaries came into effect half-way through the year.

“The increase in staff salaries is in line with that recommended by the independent review panel.

“The panel, chaired by Sir Alan Langlands, recommended that staff salary provision be increased.

“He expected that increase to cost in the order of £1 million to £1.25 million a year.”