05 October 2007
Several hundred civil service jobs in Scotland would be axed under plans drawn up in advance of the Comprehensive Spending Review, which is expected to impose a tight squeeze on Holyrood's budget.
The plans, which could reduce the central civil service workforce in Scotland from 4,200 to 3,600, are contained in a document setting out options that have already been the subject of discussions with staff representatives.
The proposals would involve a freeze on recruitment, but no compulsory redundancies. If the plans go ahead, staffing at the Scottish government would be reduced to the lowest level since devolution in 1999.
The document setting out the proposals, marked 'restricted', was leaked to The Scotsman newspaper. Written by Thea Teale, head of human resources at the Scottish government, it sets out proposals for job losses aimed at saving £36.5m over three years.
The plans would require a reduction of around 170 jobs a year, resulting in a staffing level – including policy staff, ministerial private office officials, communications and support workers – of 3,600 by April 2011.
A Scottish government spokeswoman told Public Finance: 'These are preparatory proposals for options which haven't been before ministers, but they set out contingencies in relation to the internal administration of the Scottish government, in light of an expected extremely tight expenditure round.'
There had been an initial discussion of the options 'in outline' with staff representatives, she said. 'The Scottish government has announced strong efficiency targets but has also given a commitment that there will be no compulsory redundancies, in contrast to some Whitehall government departments.'
The document contains extracts from a minute from permanent secretary John Elvidge pointing out that the freeze on recruitment would be enforced, apart from in 'exceptional cases'. However, he warned: 'Shrinkage by natural wastage is a blunt instrument: the “wrong” staff leave and we may lose skills we still need.'
Union representatives are due to meet Elvidge to discuss the proposals next week. Lynn Henderson, Scottish political officer of the Public and Commercial Services union, said: 'We very much welcome the announcement… that there will be no compulsory redundancies.'
PFoct2007
