# Scotland’s public sector swells to record size despite John Swinney’s pledge to shrink the state

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/scotlands-public-sector-swells-to-record-size-despite-john-swinneys-pledge-to-shrink-the-state/
- Published: 2026-11-13T19:11:59+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-13T19:21:31+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16291011/Scotlands-public-sector-swells-record-size-despite-John-Swinneys-pledge-shrink-state.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: Government, Politics, UK, World

## Key points

- Public sector employment reached a record 472,800 FTE workers.
- The total headcount, including part-time staff, was 553,600.
- Ministers propose merging health boards and councils as part of reform.

## Summary

Scotland’s devolved public sector reached a record 472,800 full-time equivalent employees in June, despite First Minister John Swinney pledging to reduce the size of the state. The figures add pressure on ministers to explain how promised public service reforms will curb costs and improve services.

Employment rose by 700 from the previous quarter and is 10 per cent above the level at the start of the pandemic. Local government employed 215,000 FTE staff and the NHS 163,900; the total headcount, including part-time workers, was 553,600. Swinney has proposed merging health boards and councils, while ministers say reform is intended to protect local services; opposition politicians argue the workforce is growing too much.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.