MSPs in Scotland are set to receive another pay rise, with their annual wages set to climb to over £74,000. The 3.2% increase, amounting to more than £2,000, was announced by the Scottish Parliament’s Presiding Officer in a letter to the Finance Committee. This raise is the fourth consecutive one since 2022/23 and is scheduled to take effect from April 1, 2025.
The Scottish Government has stated that its ministers will continue to decline pay rises, maintaining their wages at the same level as over 15 years ago. The £2,310 increase will bring MSPs’ total annual earnings to £74,506. This raise is lower than last year’s 6.7% hike but higher than the 1.5% increase in 2023/24. In 2022/23, MSPs saw their salaries boosted by 3.4%, with no rise in the previous year.
The Presiding Officer of Holyrood noted that this year’s 3.2% uplift aligns with the Average Weekly Earnings (AWE) index, moving away from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE Mean), which has reportedly become misaligned with other wage inflation indices in recent years. The Scottish Government confirmed that ministerial pay will remain frozen at 2008 levels, with a junior minister currently earning £81,449, a cabinet secretary receiving £96,999, and the First Minister being paid £135,605 annually.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Government emphasised, “Ministerial pay has been voluntarily frozen for 15 years by Scottish ministers, and there are no plans to change this.” Despite MSPs’ increasing pay, ministerial salaries will remain stagnant to levels from over a decade ago. The current approach reflects a commitment to consistency in ministerial remuneration amidst ongoing changes in MSPs’ wages.
In summary, MSPs in Scotland will receive a 3.2% pay rise, bringing their annual earnings to over £74,000. The Scottish Government has reaffirmed its decision for ministers to decline pay increases, maintaining their salaries at 2008 levels. This move contrasts with the consistent rises MSPs have seen in recent years, underscoring a policy of stability in ministerial pay.