Question reference: S5W-23929
- Asked by: George Adam, MSP for Paisley, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 19 June 2019
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Current status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Jeane Freeman on 20 June 2019
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on funding for NHS employers' pension costs, and whether the cost will be fully funded by the UK Government.
Answer
The UK Government has taken decisions on pension costs and funding that result in a shortfall of £48.4 million for the NHS in Scotland. This comes on top of a reduction to health funding of £55 million applied through the UK Budget, and therefore a total future shortfall for Scotland of over £100 million per year.
I can confirm today that the Scottish Government will provide additional funding of £48.4 million to meet the increased pension costs for the NHS in Scotland, including GPs and hospices that are members of the NHS pension scheme. By doing this we will continue to prioritise and protect frontline health services in Scotland.