Jeremy PurvisCommenting as the Scottish Government prepares to issue its public sector pay policies, Jeremy Purvis said:

'The Lib Dems have made a clear case that the pay bill for the highest paid in the public sector is not sustainable.

'Research carried out by the Lib Dems found that the pay bill for public sector workers earning over £80,000 was over £600 million. This is for less than 1% of the public workforce.

'It is encouraging that the SNP are accepting our argument that there needs to be action. Freeing up this resource from the most well paid allows there to be real action to support the economy now.

'We have already highlighted the Scottish Government's bonus arrangements for top NHS earners. We believe that the government should not forge ahead with a new SNP bonus scheme, due to be introduced on 1 april this year, which allows health boards to give bonuses of £30,000 for life. We believe that there needs to be restraint.'