Holyrood Committee launches call for views on Scotland’s Commissioners

The move follows an inquiry being announced by Holyrood’s Finance and Public Administration Committee in December 2023.

The committee says it will examine Scotland’s Commissioner ‘landscape’.

Scotland currently has seven commissioners directly responsible to Parliament. An eighth – the Patients Safety Commissioner – was agreed by Parliament in September 2023.

A further six commissioners have been proposed, or are being considered, that could potentially bring the total number to 14 by the end of the current five-year session at Holyrood.

Finance and Public Administration Committee Convener Kenneth Gibson said:

“Everyone recognises that Scotland faces an extremely challenging budget this year, and most likely in the years that follow.

“Given the number of commissioners in Scotland could potentially rise to 14 by the end of this parliamentary session, with all the expense that entails, our inquiry is both timely and necessary.

“We plan to examine why there has been such growth in commissioners, whether there is overlap and duplication, and whether a more coherent and strategic approach is needed for their creation.

“We want to hear from anyone with views or insights on Scotland’s approach to commissioners, and whether it represents value for money, or whether more effective models are available.”

The committee is asking ten questions in its call for views.

Respondents should note the inquiry will not examine the merits, or otherwise, of individual commissioners.

Costs

Budget figures for 2023/24 show the current seven commissioners cost £16.6 million, with a 10% increase to £18.3 million for 2024/25.  Each office comes with its own staff and its own running costs.  The smallest cost £0.3m and the largest £6.7m.  More are being proposed, or considered, by both the government and by backbench MSPs.