THE SNP outspent every other party in its 2021 Scottish Parliament campaign, new figures confirm — despite a huge increase in lay-out by Unionist rivals.

The official watchdog has released total spending figures for all parties that laid out more than £250,000 on the May 2021 votes drive.

It's already done the same for parties that spent less than this.

The fresh figures, released today, show that Nicola Sturgeon's party paid out more than any other during the official campaign period between January 6 and May 6.

The SNP's total – £1,468,343 – is broadly in line with 2016 and works out at a cost of £22,942 for each of the 64 seats the party won. That tally made the SNP the largest party, but fell just short of a majority.

The Tories, who won the second largest number of seats at 31, spent £1,359,435.

That breaks down at £43,852 per seat – almost double the SNP's spending.

Anas Sarwar's Labour achieved 22 seats, the party's lowest ever figure. It spent £1,176,410, which equates to £53,473 per MSP returned.

And for the four-seat Liberal Democrats, the £434,354 outlay is equivalent to £108,588 for each.

Compared with the 2016 election, total spending by the three unionist parties together almost doubled from £1,503,183 to £2,970,199. 

Of the three, Labour ploughed in the biggest increase in cash of 248%.

The LibDems put in 133% more and the Tories committed an additional 39%.

READ MORE: SNP election campaign: The inside story of Nicola Sturgeon's historic win

Commenting on the returns, Louise Edwards, director of regulation at the Electoral Commission, said: "The Commission has now published all reported spending information from parties, campaigners and candidates relating to last year’s Scottish Parliament election.

"Delivering this transparency ensures voters are able to see clearly and accurately how money is spent on influencing them at this election."

The SNP secured its largest ever vote share and a record fourth term in government with 48% of the constituency vote and 40% of the list vote.

It later entered into a deal with the Scottish Greens that saw that party secure ministerial positions for the first time.

Keith Brown MSP, the SNP's depute leader said: "The 2021 Holyrood election saw the SNP win the most constituency seats and secure the highest share of the constituency vote in the history of devolution.

"Turns out we ran the most cost-effective campaign too.

"Our SNP Scottish Government will work relentlessly to repay the trust placed in us, to lead the country through the rest of the pandemic.

"We have an ambitious and transformative programme for government to implement."