Members of the Scottish Parliament who chair committees are set to receive a £15,000 pay increase, bringing their annual salary to £93,253. The raise, equivalent to 20% of a standard MSP's £77,000 salary, will take effect from 1 April 2027, subject to parliamentary approval. According to BBC News, the proposal requires an amendment to the parliament's salary scheme and will cost taxpayers £342,000 annually based on current pay levels.
Presiding Officer Kenneth Gibson defended the increase, emphasising the critical role committees play in scrutinising government.
Our committees really are at the heart of what we, as a parliament, do. Not only ensuring that the parliament holds the government to account, but that we are hearing from people across Scotland about the issues that matter to them.Gibson, a former chair of Holyrood's finance committee, stressed his awareness of the additional pressures the role demands.
The Scottish Parliament Corporate Body (SPCB), a management body comprising six MSPs and chaired by the presiding officer, commissioned research into the pay rise to recognise the "significant" extra responsibilities of committee conveners. The Scotsman reported that the SPCB unanimously backed the proposed increase. Gibson stated that the commissioned report "concluded that the responsibilities, authority and accountability associated with the role warrant formal recognition within the parliament's salaries scheme". He noted that conveners undertake substantial work outside formal meetings and away from public scrutiny.
The 16 committee conveners who would benefit from the increase are Stuart McMillan, David Linden, Calum Kerr, Duncan Massey, Karen Adam, Katie Hagmann, Patrick Harvie, Clare Haughey, Helen McDade, Neil Bibby, Paul Sweeney, Bob Doris, Mark Ruskell, Craig Hoy, Jenni Minto and Willie Rennie. The SPCB characterised the total cost of £342,000 as representing just 0.23% of the parliament's annual budget.
How will the increase be implemented?
A motion to amend the salaries scheme must be laid before Parliament for approval. Holyrood Magazine confirmed that if the Parliament votes to approve the change, the additional payment will commence from 1 April 2027. The increase represents formal recognition of the expanded scope and demands of committee leadership roles within the legislature.
Context within UK legislatures
The move reflects broader discussions about remuneration for legislative roles across the UK. In Northern Ireland, members of the Assembly have recently received significant pay adjustments; MLAs are set to receive a £2,000 pay rise from May 2027, bringing their annual salary to £69,216, following a 27% uplift in April 2026. Meanwhile, Northern Ireland councillors have raised concerns that their pay fails to attract younger candidates, highlighting recruitment challenges in local politics across the region.
Key facts
- Committee conveners will receive an additional £15,542 annually, raising their salary from £77,000 to £93,253
- The increase is equivalent to 20% of a standard MSP's annual salary
- Holyrood has 16 committees, meaning 16 MSPs will be affected by the pay rise
- The total annual cost to taxpayers is £342,000, representing 0.23% of the parliament's budget
- The change requires parliamentary approval and is scheduled to take effect from 1 April 2027
