Progress On Scottish Government Workforce Reform

18th December 2024

Public Finance Minister Ivan McKee has responded to the publication of the Scottish Government Workforce September 2024 statistics.

Mr McKee said: 

"There has been a 2.3% reduction to the total Scottish Government workforce between March 2022 and September 2024. This has been driven by substantially reducing the number of contractors and consultants utilised by the government, with these staff down by 39% over the same period.

“Further to today's statistics, we have additional measures in place to manage the size of the workforce - including recruitment controls that aim to support public service reform. In the longer-term we are working in partnership with trade unions and across the public sector on reform so that services remain fiscally sustainable and improve outcomes for the people and communities that need them most."