The cost of public inquiries in Scotland has spiralled by almost £30 million in nine month rising to a total cost of nearly £260 million, according to data compiled by Holyrood researchers.

The £28.8m increase from December 2024 to September this year was calculated by staff at the Scottish Parliament Information Centre ahead of a key committee appearance by Kate Forbes tomorrow.

It has taken the full cost of public inquiries announced since 2007 to £258.8million, the research team found.

MSPs on the finance committee have been investigating the cost effectiveness of inquiries and are to question the Deputy First Minister at their final session of their inquiry.

A total 11 public inquires have been announced since the SNP first came to power in Holyrood in 2007 including five w

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