« Previous | Contents | Next »
Listen
A: INTRODUCTION
What is Public Sector Pay Policy?
1. Public Sector Pay Policy sets the parameters for public sector pay increases for a range of public bodies in Scotland. Public bodies seek approval from the Scottish Government for their proposals within these parameters and then negotiate detailed pay settlements with trade unions and staff.
Who is it for?
2. Public Sector Pay Policy applies to these organisations in Scotland (called "public bodies" in the policy):
- The Scottish Government and its associated departments;
- Agencies;
- Non-Departmental Public Bodies ( NDPBs);
- Public Corporations; and
- NHS Executive and Senior Managers.
A full list is set out in Annex A.
3. The policy for 2008-09 applies to those public bodies who will enter into new pay settlements between May 2008 and April 2009 (inclusive). In this period 55 1public bodies will be reaching agreement on a new pay settlement for their staff.
4. Public bodies determine the pay and conditions for their staff that are appropriate for their business needs and which take account of the Scottish Government's policy on public sector pay set out in this document.
5. As a result the policy is written for public bodies in Scotland, referred to as 'you' throughout the policy document. Trade unions and employees of these bodies will also find this policy of interest.
Who is not covered?
6. The pay increases for the rest of the National Health Service, teachers and the police and fire services in Scotland are determined through other arrangements. The UK Government determines the pay of the Senior Civil Service. The pay of local government employees is a matter for Scottish local authorities.
7. The remuneration of Chief Executives, Chairs and Board Members of public bodies in Scotland is not covered by this policy but by the Scottish Government's policy on the remuneration of senior public appointments. That policy for 2008-09 has not yet been determined.
What other information do you need?
8. A paper setting out the 2008-09 Public Sector Pay Policy's key facts was issued on 1 April 2008. This document sets out the policy in full, but for ease the key facts paper is included at Annex E.
9. You should read the "Public Sector Pay Policy: Technical Guide" with this policy. It contains details of the proformas which you need to complete and what information should form part of the business case, together this makes up your pay remit. The Technical Guide also explains the terms used in the policy and its proformas.
10. A Glossary of terms can be found at the end of the document. All words in blue are explained in the Glossary. You will find a printed version of this document more easy to use if printed in colour.
What do you need to do? 11. The policy sets out what you need to do in order for the Scottish Government to approve your pay remit proposals. You can clearly identify the things that you must do as they will be set out in the red text circles. They are summarised in the checklist at Annex B paragraph 1. |  |
| 12. The policy also sets out the information or supporting evidence that you will need to provide to support your pay remit proposals and help make sure that they are approved. You can clearly identify the information that you should provide as they will be set out in the blue text boxes. They are summarised in the checklist at Annex B paragraph 3. |  |
What do you need to provide?
13. Your pay remit proposals will consist of:
- completed pay remit proformas that set out what was actually paid in your last pay award and your current remit proposals; and
- a business case that provides information and evidence that supports your proposals.
14. The content of your business case will depend on the proposals that you are making, if you are proposing a remit that simply seeks to continue the existing progression and bonus arrangements and make a basic award then the business case will be short and descriptive in nature. However, if you are seeking to make more complex proposals then the business case will be longer, more analytical and evidence focused.
15. The Supporting Technical Guide sets out the requirements for the proformas and the business case in more detail.
Who should you contact for help?
16. The role of the Scottish Government's Finance Pay Policy team is to ensure that your pay proposals are in line with the Government's policy on public sector pay as set out in this document and the accompanying Technical Guide. Before you submit your pay remit the team can help you make sure that your proformas and business case include all of the necessary information. When you submit your pay remit for approval by the Scottish Government the team will provide feedback on what you propose and your business case.
17. If you need help please contact the Finance Pay Policy team:
Nicola Paterson, Team Leader: 0131 244 0804
Lesley Doherty, Senior Policy Officer: 0131 244 7345
Geoff Owenson, Senior Policy Officer: 0131 244 7346
Paul Cooper, Policy Officer: 0131 244 7341
General Queries: 0131 244 7341
Email: financepaypolicy@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
18. We will make this policy document and the technical guide available on the Scottish Government's Website.
Where should you send your remit proposals to?
19. When you are ready to submit your remit proposals for approval then you should send your completed remit proformas (outturn and current proposals) and accompanying business case to the Finance Pay Policy team at financepaypolicy@scotland.gsi.gov.uk .
When should you send in your remit proposals?
20. You should send in your remit proposals in line with the timetable in Annex D. This timetable takes into account responses made by public bodies to the draft timetable circulated by the Finance Pay Policy team in February 2008.
« Previous | Contents | Next »