Under consideration PE2234: Reduce MSP Salaries to the Median Scottish Full-time Income
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to (a) permanently cap MSP salaries at the level of median Scottish income for full-time employment, adjusted annually (£39,719, as of October 2025; the equivalent of the salary of a band 5 NHS nurse), and (b) cap any additional salaries and payments arising from MSPs extra duties (for parliamentary offices, Government positions, severance pay, etc.) proportionally to the adjustment of the MSPs annual salary (a reduction of 50%).
Background information
It became clear during the previous Parliamentary session that MSPs are detached from the lived experience of the nation, with their legislative agendas and priorities not matching the needs of the people of Scotland. As a former First Minister acknowledged, the overly generous pay causes a major perspective skew.
The £77,711 annual salary puts MSPs in the top 7% of UK earners, alongside those working in highly skilled professional jobs that require extensive formal qualifications and/or extensive practical experience. Yet, the MSP position requires neither qualifications nor work experience, has no binding workload, and comes with virtually no accountability, making such remuneration inappropriate.
The Scottish median full-time salary, corresponding to that of a band 5 NHS nurse, would seem more appropriate, and would make our MSPs invested in improving the living standard of the nation.
Capping the MSP salaries at the Scottish median would fund 129 band 5 NHS nurses.
2 signatures
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