Current status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 7 July 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what the total cost of employing special advisers was in 2025-26.
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 2025-26 was £2,160,036.
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 2025-26 was based on the following Pay Bands and Pay Ranges:
Pay Band | Pay Range (£) | Number of Special Advisers in Band |
2 | £67,565 – £81,868 | 10 |
3 | £84,364 – £107,385 | 7 |
4 | £114,242 – £121,093 | 1 |
Information on current Special Adviser appointments for 2026-27 is available on the Scottish Government website and costs for the year will be reported after the end of the current financial year.
The First Minister has appointed a more streamlined Special Adviser team after the election who are supporting ministers to deliver on the things that matter most to the people of Scotland. As of the date of this response, there are 13 Special Advisers within the Scottish Government.