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Public sector employment
16/12/2009
The Scottish Government today published the latest employment statistics for Scotland's public sector.
The publication shows that:
- Employment in devolved organisations decreased by 2,600 (0.5 per cent) over the year.
- Employment in the NHS increased by 2.3 per cent, with police staff up 3.7 per cent.
- Employment in public organisations which are the responsibility of the UK Government, excluding financial institutions, increased by 600 (one per cent).
- Total public sector employment in Scotland decreased by 2,100 (0.4 per cent) since Q3 2008, excluding banks now classed as public sector financial institutions. This includes the transfer of some Glasgow City Council staff to a new private contracted organisation.
Commenting on the publication, Public Sector Employment in Scotland: Quarter 3 2009, Finance Secretary John Swinney said:
"An increase in frontline NHS and police personnel is particularly welcome at a time when it is vital that every level of Scotland's public sector delivers maximum value for money.
"Faced with recession and a Westminster-imposed cut to the Scottish budget, the public sector must continue to deliver quality, frontline public services in a cost-effective and joined-up manner.
"For our part, the Scottish Government's Simplification Programme has reduced the number of public bodies from 199 to 161 with that number set to fall to around 120 by 2011. Projects already delivered through this simplification agenda are estimated to save taxpayers 127 million pounds between 2008 and 2013; and will deliver annual recurring savings of 36 million pounds each year thereafter, rising to over 40 million pounds annually through proposals in the Public Services Reform Bill. That Bill includes powers that can help the process and as a result should command the cross party support of those who demand greater efficiencies.
"By working together to focus on sharper, co-ordinated services, Scotland's public sector will be better-placed to meet the challenges which lie ahead."
Devolved organisations refers to public authorities which are the responsibility of the Scottish Government or Scottish Parliament. This includes the core Scottish Government and Agencies, local authorities, Police and Fire Services, NHS, Non-Departmental Public Bodies, Non-Ministerial Departments, Public Corporations, Ombudsmen and Commissioners and other significant national bodies.
The Scottish Government is committed to simplifying the public sector landscape by bringing together organisations with similar skills, expertise and processes. The Scottish Government published a baseline list of 199 national public sector organisations and set out proposals as part of the Simplification Programme to reduce this number by 25 per cent by 2011. The number of bodies has already reduced to 161.