MSPs claimed £12.2 million in expenses last year, down around half-a-million pounds on 2011-12, new figures show.

The total of £12,261,819 for 2012-13 is £557,016 lower than the £12,818,835 claimed the year before. This represents a 4.35% fall before inflation is taken into account.

A Scottish Parliament spokesman said: "The decrease in expenses of more than £500,000 is a reflection of one-off election costs in the previous year but also that 2012-13 represented year two of a two-year pay and expenses freeze for MSPs."

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A total of 48 MSPs claimed winding-up expenses in 2011 because they stood down before the elections or lost their seat. These included staff salary costs, staff redundancy and office and accommodation costs which contributed to the higher total in 2011-12.

Party leaders' allowances fell around £12,000 over the year period, from £38,368 in 2011-12 to £26,184 in 2012-13.

Stationery and postage claims rose by around £30,000, from £456,167 in 2011-12 to £486,450.

The salary, pension and national insurance contributions of those employed by MSPs in 2012-13 was £8,915,847.

Expenditure on childcare vouchers was £24,032 and security-related and disability provision expenditure was £17,177.

First Minister Alex Salmond claimed £11,637 on expenses such as office rent, staff mileage, newspaper subscriptions and phone bills.

Labour leader Johann Lamont spent £18,434 which includes claims for taxis, hotel accommodation in Edinburgh and office costs.

Conservative leader Ruth Davidson claimed back £16,119 in expenses including £4,899 for hotel stays, while Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie claimed £13,775.

Orkney MSP Liam McArthur claimed the most expenses, £46,931, said to be due to the cost of travelling from his constituency.

Elsewhere MSPs spent £6,720 on tea, coffee and biscuits for meetings and £7,643 on evening meals in hotels.

They also claimed £729 for refreshments while staying in accommodation in Edinburgh, with Labour MSPs Mary Fee and Margaret McDougall claiming a respective £181.85 and £129.65.

A total of £15,861 was spent on training MSP staff. Former MSP Bill Walker claimed £259 for emergency first aid at work courses for two members of his staff.

George Adam and Jim Eadie were among the many SNP members to claim for media skills courses, at £800 and £370 respectively.