THE taxpayer-funded cost of business class flights for Scottish MPs has soared – and Inverclyde’s Ronnie Cowan is among the highest claimants.

The 56 SNP MPs claimed £576,316 in 2015/16, with Mr Cowan checking in for more than £15,000.

His Western Isles colleague, Angus MacNeil, came out on top by spending £18,151 on business-class air travel.

Mr Cowan and two other SNP MPs shared joint second spot.

Scottish MPs claimed only £60,574 for business class flights in the previous 12 months.

Mr Cowan today defended using business class fares, saying it enabled him to do the best job possible for Inverclyde.

He said: “The flights I use are fully flexible tickets which allow me to change my flight at short notice without any financial penalty.

“By booking these flights for the same times each week, I have established a solid working routine that makes it easier for me and my team to be consistent in our approach to serving Inverclyde.

“Parliamentary business can change frequently, which means I need to be readily available to attend Westminster or be in Inverclyde to undertake important constituency duties.”

Mr Cowan said other MPs may adopt a different approach by travelling on a Sunday or employing a member of their team to be based full-time in Westminster.

He added: “Each MP will define their best working practice.

“I believe the costs incurred are worth it, as it affords me greater flexibility that allows me to do my job to the best of my ability.

“I would be happy to speak to any constituent who wants to know more about my role as an MP and the parliamentary system.”

Rules set by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA), state that MPs can claim for business-class travel only if the ticket costs no more than the most expensive flexible economy fare available at the time of booking.

A spokesman said: “There has been an increase in the number of business-class flights, but it is within the rules and we haven’t received any complaints.”

An SNP spokesman said the rise was caused by the way IPSA records fares.

He said: “These fares are booked through an appointed agent in Westminster. 

“They are not business class flights, but fully flexible fares which IPSA records as business class.

“It does not mean MPs are upgrading from economy class.”