Question reference: S6W-07310
- Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 15 March 2022
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Current status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 25 March 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether all SQA staff, who wish to, will automatically be transferred to a role in the new body/bodies and, if this is not the case, whether it can provide details of the (a) process whereby they will be able to be redeployed across the public sector and (b) timescales for this to take place, and, if the requested information is not yet available, by when it anticipates that it will be known.
Answer
The current functions of SQA will continue and staff working in those functions will continue to carry out their work, as they currently do. We recognise and appreciate the valuable skills, experience and knowledge held by all staff across SQA, and a primary consideration in the reform process will be in making the most of these attributes in the future. As decisions are made about the roles that are needed in the successor bodies, a process will be taken forward to enable matching of current staff to roles - this process will be designed with the input of staff and trade unions and the underpinning commitment to protecting terms and conditions, and no compulsory redundancies as a direct result of reform, will be in place.
We will continue to work closely with staff, facilitated through existing arrangements including via recognised trade unions, to develop the transitions framework and timeline for implementation and to consider impact on groups of staff and individual posts, including identifying suitable redeployment opportunities if they are needed. TUPE and/or COSOP will apply, and as the activities currently carried out by existing bodies move to new bodies, the staff carrying out those activities who are deemed to be in scope of transfer will transfer.
Further detail on programme structures will be published in spring.