Current status: Answered by John Swinney on 23 March 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what the total cost will be of ministerial pay in 2026-27, including what additional cost will be incurred due to the ministerial pay freeze not being in place in 2025-26.
The Ministerial element of Ministers' pay has been frozen at the following levels since 2008-09, including in 2025-26:
Year | Junior Minister | Cabinet Secretary | First Minister | Lord Advocate | Solicitor General |
2008-09 | £26,068 | £41,618 | £80,224 | £54,371 | £39,316 |
2009-10 | £26,068 | £41,618 | £80,224 | £54,371 | £39,316 |
2010-11 | £26,068 | £41,618 | £80,224 | £54,371 | £39,316 |
2011-12 | £26,068 | £41,618 | £80,224 | £54,371 | £39,316 |
2012-13 | £26,068 | £41,618 | £80,224 | £54,371 | £39,316 |
2013-14 | £26,068 | £41,618 | £80,224 | £54,371 | £39,316 |
2014-15 | £26,068 | £41,618 | £80,224 | £54,371 | £39,316 |
2015-16 | £26,068 | £41,618 | £80,224 | £54,371 | £39,316 |
2016-17 | £26,068 | £41,618 | £80,224 | £54,371 | £39,316 |
2017-18 | £26,068 | £41,618 | £80,224 | £54,371 | £39,316 |
2018-19 | £26,068 | £41,618 | £80,224 | £54,371 | £39,316 |
2019-20 | £26,068 | £41,618 | £80,224 | £54,371 | £39,316 |
2020-21 | £26,068 | £41,618 | £80,224 | £54,371 | £39,316 |
2021-22 | £26,068 | £41,618 | £80,224 | £54,371 | £39,316 |
2022-23 | £26,068 | £41,618 | £80,224 | £54,371 | £39,316 |
2023-24 | £26,068 | £41,618 | £80,224 | £54,371 | £39,316 |
2024-25 | £26,068 | £41,618 | £80,224 | £54,371 | £39,316 |
2025-26 | £26,068 | £41,618 | £80,224 | £54,371 | £39,316 |
2026-27 | £26,068 | £41,618 | £80,224 | £54,371 | £39,316 |
Ministerial and MSP pay is set and administered by the Scottish Parliament and questions about MSP pay should be directed to the Scottish Parliament.
The First Minister continues to freeze both the Ministerial and MSP elements of his pay at 2008-09 levels.
Decisions on the Ministerial pay freeze for after the Scottish Parliament election on 7 May 2026 will be for the First Minister of the next administration.