The SNP has been slammed for doubling the cost of running the government since coming into power back in 2007 under former First Minister Alex Salmond.

Official figures show the yearly cost of ministerial salaries, excluding the First Minister and Deputy FM, office staff and advisers has risen from £2,428,879 14 years ago to £4,503,805 in 2021 – an increase of £2,074,926.

Overall the extra cost over the course of the entire parliamentary term is £10,374,630.04.

The government has also been criticised for huge increases in staff. When Alex Salmond set up his first government back in 2007 he appointed four Cabinet Secretaries, there are now eight in Nicola Sturgeon ‘s current top team.