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Swinney defends near £20,000 pay rise for SNP ministers as 'fair'
John Swinney has awarded his ministers a near £20,000 wage rise but has turned down the pay bump himself to avoid the perception he is "benefiting" from his own decisions.
Scotland's first minister partially lifted the salary freeze - which was introduced by former SNP leader Alex Salmond in 2009 - to coincide with the start of the new tax year. All ministers will receive £19,126 extra from this month, taking the salary of a cabinet secretary to £116,125 and a junior minister to £100,575.
It comes as many Scots are being forced to tighten their belts amid surging household bills, including council tax rises of up to 15.6%. Mr Swinney denied he made the decision to partially lift the pay freeze in a bid to entice SNP MPs from Westminster to Holyrood.
It comes as many prominent MSPs have announced they plan to step down ahead of the Scottish parliament elections in 2026. The list includes former first ministers Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf, Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon, Finance Secretary Shona Robison and Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop During a news conference at Bute House in Edinburgh on Monday, Mr Swinney said: "I had no discussions with Westminster colleagues about that decision." The freeze on the ministerial element will continue, but ministers are now able to receive their full MSP entitlement.
The first minister said the 16-year freeze was "necessary.
Amir Nisi
Creative and experienced content writer with 6+ years of experience lazy to create unique content strategy for News5 to turn website visitors into customers.
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