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The next item of business is consideration of motion S6M-20738, which is a Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body motion on amendments to the Scottish Parliament salaries scheme. I invite Jackson Carlaw to speak to and move the motion.
17:02
On behalf of the corporate body, it falls to me to move this thrilling and compelling motion to update the Scottish Parliament salaries scheme.
The amendments to the scheme implement provisions of three Scottish statutory instruments made under the Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Act 2025 that will prevent an MSP from simultaneously holding office as a member of the House of Commons, a member of the House of Lords or a local councillor. The provisions that are implemented in changes to the scheme will ensure that any member who holds such a dual mandate cannot be remunerated for both roles simultaneously.
In the hope that members are listening to this and will be able to answer questions on it in call and repeat, I move,
That the Parliament, in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 81(1), 81(5)(b) and 83(5) of the Scotland Act 1998 resolves that, with effect from the day of the poll at the first general election for membership of the Parliament following the day on which this Resolution is approved, the Scottish Parliament Salaries Scheme is amended as follows—
(a) for paragraph 2(2) substitute—
“For any period during which a salary is payable to a member of the Parliament pursuant to a resolution of the House of Lords relating to the remuneration of members of that House, the yearly rate of the salary payable by virtue of this Scheme to that member for that period shall be reduced by two-thirds.”
(b) after paragraph 2(2) insert—
“(2A) No salary shall be paid to a member of the Parliament in respect of any period in which the member is or was also a member of the House of Commons. This does not apply to any salary payable to a member of the Parliament in their capacity as the First Minister, a Scottish Minister, a junior Scottish Minister, the Lord Advocate, the Solicitor General for Scotland, the Presiding Officer or a Deputy Presiding Officer.
(2B) If remuneration is also payable to a member of the Parliament in respect of the same period under regulations made under section 11(1) of the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 then the amount of salary payable to the member shall be reduced by the amount specified as payable to a councillor (who is not designated the Leader of the Council, the Civic Head or a senior councillor) by those regulations made under section 11(1) of the 2004 Act.”
(c) in paragraph 2(1), after “sub-paragraph (2)” add “, (2A) and (2B)”.
Thank you, Mr Carlaw. That was more riveting than you might have predicted.
The question on the motion will be put at decision time.
17:05
Meeting suspended.
17:06
On resuming—
Next
Decision Time