SNP anger over cost of House of Lords

Peers in the House of Lords took home nearly £15 million last year, according to new research obtained by the SNP.

The figures, compiled by the House of Commons library, show that members of the unelected upper chamber were paid £13.2m for their daily allowances and a further £1.7m in expenses between August 2020 and July 2021.

In the 12 months from August 2020, there were 22,140 spoken contributions during debates in the Lords. This means the £14.92m paid out in allowances and expenses works out at just under £700 a speech.

The SNP's Pete Wishart described the Lords as 'a permanent stain on our democracy."

He added: “Taxpayers up and down the country will rightly feel aggrieved that their taxes are being spent - in ludicrous sums - on an undemocratic, outdated system.

"Scotland is on a different path to Westminster – we do not believe in the House of Lords and consistently vote in favour of its immediate removal.

“Labour promised to abolish the House of Lords 11 years ago yet fail to criticise its role now.

“The Tories are adamant that it is a good and proper institution, therefore it’s clear that only the SNP stand firmly against it.

“However, whilst under Westminster rule, we will never be able to shake off the chains of an undemocratic system like the House of Lords.”

A House of Lords spokesman said: “Members of the House of Lords aren’t paid salaries, unlike MPs, but may claim attendance allowance to cover costs associated with attending Parliament.

"In 2020-21 there was a reduction in the total amount claimed by Members due to changes to working practices during the pandemic. The House of Lords is a busy and effective chamber scrutinising and improving laws that affect all of us and holding the government to account.”