Embargoed: 22:30, Sunday 21st July 2024
Over 1,400 employees of the Scottish public sector received over £100,000 in salary, bonuses, pension payments and other perks during the 2022-23 financial year, according to the first ever Scottish public sector rich list.
The research, produced by the TaxPayers’ Alliance, a campaign group, includes a comprehensive database of staff with six-figure remuneration packages across universities, health bodies, executive bodies and other parts of the Scottish public sector, excluding clinical staff. Included in this list are 1,414 employees who received over £100,000 and 291 employees who received over £150,000 in one financial year.
Scotland now has one of the largest devolved administrations in the United Kingdom, with significant spending and tax-raising powers, which has led it to have the highest income tax rates in the United Kingdom. In Scotland, only taxpayers earning between £12,571 and £14,876 pay lower rates of income tax and all taxpayers earning over £26,561 pay a higher rate than their counterparts in the rest of the United Kingdom.
Universities make up more than half of the rich list, with 839 of the 1,400, followed by health bodies with 309 and quangos with 180. The University of Glasgow had the most, receiving over £100,000 of any organisation with 209, while the University of Edinburgh had the most receiving over £150,000 with 44. The University of Edinburgh also had the highest remunerated single employee, with the principal receiving £418,000. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service had the second highest remunerated employee at £417,500.
The largest bonus given out was to the chief executive at Scottish Water, at £80,000, while the highest benefits in kind went to the principal and vice-chancellor at Heriot-Watt University.
The TaxPayers’ Alliance publishes an annual rich list for local government, the Town Hall Rich List, and has published rich lists on other parts of the public sector, including City Hall and universities.
READ THE FULL RESEARCH HERE
Key findings:
- In 2022-23, the Scottish public sector employed at least 1,414 people who received over £100,000 in total remuneration. Of these, 291 employees received over £150,000.
- In 2022-23, the organisation with the highest number of employees with remuneration of more than £100,000 was the University of Glasgow with 209. The University of Edinburgh had the highest number of employees receiving more than £150,000, with 44.
- Universities in Scotland were the public body with the highest number of employees with total remuneration of more than £100,000, with 839 in 2022-23. 146 of these staff members received over £150,000.
- The highest remunerated employee in 2022-23 was the principal at the University of Edinburgh, Peter Mathieson, who received £418,000 in total remuneration. Of this, £348,000 was salary, fees and allowances. A further £33,000 was given in benefits in kind and employer’s life cover. A further £37,000 was paid in lieu of employer’s pension contributions.
- The former first minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, received a total remuneration of £135,938 in 2022-23. This was comprised of £97,666 in salary and £38,272 in pension benefits.
- The highest benefits in kind went to Richard A. Williams, the principal and vice-chancellor at Heriot-Watt University, who received £41,000 in 2022-23.
- Douglas Millican, chief executive at Scottish Water, received the largest bonus having received £80,000 in 2022-23.
READ THE FULL RESEARCH HERE
John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said:
"Scots will be shocked to learn of the number of bureaucrats with six-figure pay packets across Scotland’s ballooning public sector.
“With significant responsibilities handed to Scottish ministers and officials, taxpayers would be willing to accept a small number of well-paid, high performers delivering frontline services, but instead they are being given a bloated, inefficient state.
“Top officials in the Scottish public sector should consider pay restraint to ensure resources can go where they’re most needed.”
TPA spokespeople are available for live and pre-recorded broadcast interviews via 07795 084 113 (no texts)
Media contact:
Elliot Keck
Head of Campaigns, TaxPayers' Alliance
[email protected]
24-hour media hotline: 07795 084 113 (no texts)
Notes to editors:
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Founded in 2004 by Matthew Elliott and Andrew Allum, the TaxPayers' Alliance (TPA) campaigns to reform taxes and public services, cut waste and speak up for British taxpayers. Find out more at www.taxpayersalliance.com.
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