Current status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 6 September 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what the total cost of employing special advisers was in 2023-24.
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 2023-24 was £1,906,963. Total cost includes all salary costs, employer NI, and employer pension contributions. The level of employer NI, and civil service pension contribution is reserved and is not a matter for the Scottish Government.
The cost of Special Advisers during 2023-24 was based on the following Pay Bands and Pay Ranges:
Pay Band | Pay Range (£) | Number of SpAds in Band |
1 | £56,611 – £60,378 | 1 |
2 | £61,894 – £76,426 | 8 |
3 | £78,383 - £88,473 | 5 |
4 | £106,143 - £ 113,043 | 3 |