Public Sector Pay Policy

That the Parliament notes with concern the reported decision of the National Library of Scotland (NLS), and other heritage bodies covered by the Scottish public sector pay policy, to refuse to consolidate the mandated minimum pay award for staff and instead pay the underpin as a one-off, non-pensionable payment; understands that the minimum underpin is intended to address public sector workers earning under £25,000 per year; believes that the 2019-20 public sector pay policy guidance, and surrounding commentary, clearly set expectations among low-paid public sector employees that they would be receiving a minimum annual pay increase of £750; believes however, that while the vast majority of public bodies interpreted this minimum underpin as a consolidated, permanent and pensionable salary increase, the NLS and other heritage bodies others chose not to, with no consequences arising from the government, and considers that this practice has substantially negated the impact of the minimum underpin for low-paid staff on a permanent basis.