Scottish Executive forced to defend pay rises

21 Aug 03
-

22 August 2003

The Scottish Executive has been forced to defend a pay deal giving civil servants rises of up to 16.5% after criticism from politicians and business leaders.

The 16.5% for lower grade staff was part of a deal reached between the Executive and the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS).

The increases for Executive staff and its agencies will average 3.25% this year and 4% next year and will be performance-related, an Executive spokeswoman said.

She pointed out that the 'disproportionate' rise for lower-grade staff reflected 'the recruitment pressures the Executive has been under at this grade'.

The spokeswoman added: 'This is usually the entry grade for graduates and the Executive is in competition with other employers. The increase reflects the current market rate.'

A spokesman for the Confederation of British Industry in Scotland said the Executive needed to explain the reasons for such large increases in order to show the benefits it would bring to hard-pressed Scottish taxpayers.

The Executive also had to be aware of the climate in which many other employees were having to tighten their belts and accept far more modest pay increases, particularly when inflation was at such a low level, the spokesman added.

The Scottish Tories said employees in other parts of the public and private sectors would look with envy at the deal, which came at a time when private companies were facing the effects of high business and water rates.

The Executive spokeswoman stressed that the increases were performance-related and that the pay system was rigorously and closely monitored to ensure fairness. She added: 'The amount individuals receive will depend on their present grade and level of their performance.'

The deal will result in the minimum salary for administrative staff rising from £10,300 to £11,300 this year and £12,000 next year.

The 16.5% rise will also apply to junior managers whose minimum salary levels will increase from £14,603 to £17,000 next year.

The PCS said about 70% of staff would receive rises this year of between 5% and 10%.

PFaug2003

Did you enjoy this article?

AddToAny

Top