Analysis finds 800 Scottish public workers without fixed roles cost £27 million yearly
A newspaper analysis found that about 800 Scottish public sector workers are on the payroll despite no longer having fixed roles, costing at least £27 million a year. The cases raise questions about how Scotland’s public bodies manage staff and public money, particularly as the Scottish Government says it wants to reduce waste and streamline services.
The article says Scotland’s no compulsory lay-offs policy, in place since 2007, leaves affected staff in redeployment pools until other jobs become available. A Sunday Times analysis identified 255 workers without fixed jobs for more than a year, including at least 49 paid for five years or more after their roles became obsolete; one NHS Highland worker has been in that position for 17 years. The cases span the NHS, government, councils and other public bodies.
In short
- About 800 workers reportedly lack fixed roles.
- Their salaries cost at least £27 million annually.
- Scotland’s no compulsory lay-offs policy dates to 2007.
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The case for
A no-compulsory-lay-offs policy can protect workers from sudden job loss when public services are reorganised, recognising their experience and giving them a chance to move into roles where their skills are useful. Redeployment may also preserve institutional knowledge and avoid the human and social costs of unemployment, particularly when vacancies arise over time.
The case against
Keeping people on the payroll for years without defined duties can represent poor stewardship of public money and weaken accountability for workforce decisions. Critics can reasonably argue that public bodies should set clear time limits, provide meaningful retraining and redeploy staff promptly, while being transparent about the costs and outcomes of the policy.
Explained simply
Scotland’s public services include the NHS, councils and government agencies, which employ staff to deliver services across the country. When a role is removed or changed, a worker may be placed in a redeployment pool while their employer looks for another suitable job.
Since 2007, Scotland’s public sector has had a policy against compulsory lay-offs. The policy aims to avoid workers losing their jobs when services are reorganised, but it can leave employers paying staff whose previous roles no longer exist.
The issue matters because public bodies must balance support for affected workers with managing budgets and staffing needs. It also comes as the Scottish Government says it wants to reduce waste and make public services more streamlined.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “GRAHAM GRANT: Scandal of the SNP’s army of ghost workers paid for with YOUR taxes… as families slog just to pay the bills”.