SNP spent taxpayer money on Play-Dohs, pottery lessons and zoo rentals

Nearly £10,000 of taxpayer money was spent on luxurious VIP services for Nicola Sturgeon. Photo: JEFF J MITCHELL/GETTY IMAGES

SNP Government officials spent taxpayer money on Play-Dohs, pottery classes and zoo rentals, documents show.

A list of credit card transactions conducted by senior civil servants shows significant 'weekend' costs for Scottish civil servants to help team members bond.

The figures show that more than £2,000 was spent renting part of Edinburgh Zoo for team building in 2019.

Pottery courses cost £345, while money also goes towards laser tag, crazy golf, bowling and darts. Taxpayers paid a £46.85 bill for Play-Doh and paper plates for a single employee event, with another £13.48 of government money spent at the same time on chocolate mice.

The revelations come after it was revealed that nearly £10,000 was spent on Nicola Sturgeon's previously unreported VIP services at airports.

Humza Yusuf ordered to check the use of credit cards by high-ranking government officials. Credit: JANE BARLOW/PA ARCHIVE

First Minister Humza Yousaf ordered the use of credit cards issued by senior government officials to be checked. in the Scottish government.

Data obtained by Scottish Labor detail £14.2 million spent on cards over three years.

Neil Grey, the SNP's economics secretary, admitted on Wednesday that the revelations were made for «uncomfortable reading».

Team building exercises cost a total of £32,995 over three years. It included a £375 bill for the Brewhemia pub in Edinburgh, billed as Scotland's only 'beer house'.

Mr Gray added: credit cards to high-ranking government officials is appropriate and that public money is useful.

“I think it is right that the First Minister asked the Permanent Secretary to ensure the soundness of existing processes and to ensure the fairness and balance of government spending in the future.”

'Five-star hotel stay'

Other expenses included yoga classes , nail polish, a £27 house disco on eBay and £4,182 for hospitality and five-star accommodation in Perthshire.

Various books. was also purchased, including six copies of Ms Sturgeon's collection of speeches and 21 copies of a book titled How to Run Government.

However, the vast majority of items included everyday purchases for government officials from home during the Covid lockdown 19, including computer monitors.

Dame Jackie Bailey, Labor MP, said: “No one will argue that weekends can be beneficial and are a normal part of working practice, but the Places will be surprised surprise, including at Edinburgh Zoo.» their use.