Scott challenges Salmond to cut the fat cat pay bill (North Tayside Liberal Democrats)

North Tayside Liberal Democrats <info@libdems.org.uk>

Scott challenges Salmond to cut the fat cat pay bill

November 19, 2009 5:09 PM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott MSP challenged the First Minister to cut the fat cat pay bill by 2010.

At First Minister's Questions, Mr Scott revealed that nearly 3,400 people in the public sector get paid more than a Scottish Government Minister does. They receive a total of almost £401 million in pay each year.

Commenting, Mr Scott said:

"At least 3,400 people in the public sector in Scotland get paid more than a Scottish Government Minister. Some even get paid more than Alex Salmond's three salaries as MP, MSP and First Minister added together.

"They receive a total of £401 million in pay every year.

"All across vital public services people at the bottom of the income scale are being threatened with losing their jobs. Statistics last week show that the number of young people unemployed has never been higher.

"People will not understand why the Government lets this pay chasm between richest and poorest continue.

"The First Minister and his Government are in charge of public sector pay. It was John Swinney who awarded the new Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise her bumper £203,000 salary and handed the Chief Executive of the Scottish Futures Trust a fat £180,000 paycheque.

"I want a fair society where the very well paid are expected to share the burden of tight government spending, not just the poorest and unemployed.

"The First Minister needs to set a target as part of his Budget to reduce that pay bill and spend the money on creating skills and jobs for young people instead. It's right that the people who get such a vast share of public money should shoulder a fair share of the burden in these tough times."