Greene challenges First Minister on “reward for failure” with public execs  

Speaking during First Minister’s Questions, Scottish Liberal Democrat Jamie Greene MSP challenged John Swinney over “a growing trend of reward for failure” in settlement agreements for senior public executives.

As well as the £4 million shelled out by the Scottish Government on public-sector pay-offs last year, Mr Greene highlighted that there have been 300 public sector pay-offs over the last five years. These have cost £10 million in public money and a third came with confidentiality clauses.

Speaking in the chamber, Jamie Greene said:

“£4 million of public money was spent on public sector pay-offs between 2023 and 2024.

“The year before it was £1.5 million.

“In fact, over the last five years, there have been 300 such settlements, costing £10 million of public money. And a third of those came with confidentiality clauses attached to them.

“My primary concern about all of this is what seems to be a growing trend of reward for failure amongst senior public executives, be it Ferguson Marine, the Water Industry Commission, the NHS, the SQA.

“Well-paid civil servants are walking away from failure with a large cheque in return for a gagging order, while those at the bottom of the pay ladder are struggling.

“So can I ask the Scottish Government if they think these huge pay-offs are appropriate and when, First Minister, will we see an end to the secrecy around these deals as well?"