Current status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by George Adam on 5 May 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what the total cost of employing special advisers was in (a) 2020-21, (b) 2021-22 and (c) 2022-23.
Special Advisers are appointed in accordance with Part 1 of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 by the First Minister as a Special Adviser for the purpose of providing assistance to the Scottish Ministers.
The total cost of Special Advisers employed during the financial year 2020-21 was £1,618,713.47. Total cost includes all salary costs, employer NI, and employer pension contributions. The level of employer NI and pension contribution is not a matter for the Scottish Government.
The cost of Special Advisers during 2020-21 was based on the following Pay Bands and Pay Ranges:
Pay Band | Pay Range (£) | Number of SpAds in Band |
1 | £50,839 – £53,208 | 1 |
2 | £55,583 – £68,307 | 8 |
3 | £70,391 - £90,564 | 5 |
4 | £96,400 - £ 102,228 | 1 |
The total cost of Special Advisers employed during the financial year 2021-22 was £1,434,693.34. Total cost includes all salary costs, employer NI, and employer pension contributions. The level of employer NI and pension contribution is not a matter for the Scottish Government.
The cost of Special Advisers during 2021-22 was based on the following Pay Bands and Pay Ranges:
Pay Band | Pay Range (£) | Number of SpAds in Band |
1 | £51,348 - £53,741 | 1 |
2 | £56,139 - £68,991 | 11 |
3 | £71,095 - £91,364 | 4 |
4 | £97,200 - £103,028 | 2 |
The total cost of Special Advisers employed during the financial year 2022-23 was £1,909,843. Total cost includes all salary costs, employer NI, and employer pension contributions. The level of employer NI and pension contribution is not a matter for the Scottish Government.
The cost of Special Advisers during 2022-23 was based on the following Pay Bands and Pay Ranges:
Pay Band | Pay Range (£) | Number of SpAds in Band |
1 | £53,915 - £56,428 | 1 |
2 | £58,946 - £72,441 | 10 |
3 | £74,650 - £95,019 | 5 |
4 | £101,088 - £107,149 | 2 |