MSPs approve 4.3% pay rise ahead of April elections

The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body has set a 4.3% pay rise for MSPs, increasing salaries from £74,507 to £77,710 from 1 April; the rise was calculated using the ONS average weekly earnings index and is nearly double the forecast 2.2% CPI rate.

MSPs will receive a 4.3% pay rise that takes effect on 1 April. Annual pay will increase from £74,507 to £77,710. The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body calculated the figure using the Office for National Statistics average weekly earnings index for September. The rise is nearly double the forecast headline CPI rate of 2.2% for 2026–27 and is being implemented a month before scheduled elections. Key points: - The increase is 4.3%, raising MSP pay from £74,507 to £77,710, effective 1 April. - The figure was calculated using the ONS average weekly earnings index for September. - Forecasts expect headline CPI to average 2.2% in 2026–27; the MSP rise is nearly double that rate. - Conservative MSP Jackson Carlaw told the finance committee that, over 2021–22 to 2026–27, MSP pay has lagged consumer price inflation by 8.2 percentage points (about £5,300) and that, had pay tracked inflation, it would be about £83,000. Summary: The decision sets MSP pay levels ahead of the next elections and is larger than the projected CPI inflation rate. The rise takes effect on 1 April. Undetermined at this time.