Scotland: Members of Scottish Parliament pay set to rise by 3.4% in 2022

The pay rate for MSPs is set to increase by 3.4% next year, after it was frozen in 2021.

The Scottish Parliament Corporate Body, a cross-party group, set out the proposed increase on Tuesday.

It means the basic salary for MSPs will go from £64,470 last year to £66,662 in April 2022.

Last year, pay was due to increase by 5.1% but was instead frozen at 0% because of the pandemic.

MSP pay increases are in line with the same index which governs public sector wages in Scotland.

A report said: “After having agreed to a pay freeze for the current financial year, it is proposed that MSP and ministerial salaries will increase by 3.4% in keeping with the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) index, as provided for in the Members’ Salaries Scheme.”

The proposed increase in the funding provision for MSPs’ staff is 4.5%.

Scottish Government ministers have had a voluntary pay freeze since 2008.

It comes as Nicola Sturgeon is set to update the nation on coronavirus rules as cases remain high across the country.

The First Minister will address MSPs in the Scottish Parliament on any potential new restrictions that could be implemented due to fears over the new Omicron variant.

She is due to make her statement at about 2.20pm.

The Daily Record said it understands Ms Sturgeon is considering new restrictions on football matches in a bid to halt the spread of Omicron.

The First Minister has previously suggested there will be no changes to Covid measures in Scotland before Christmas.

In a statement on Sunday, Ms Sturgeon said she will set out in Parliament if there are any “additional or wider steps necessary”, adding: “But I want to be clear to individuals that the advice I gave out last week is the advice that will take us through Christmas.”

She added: “My clear message to individuals is to reiterate the message I gave last week and that is, in the run-up to Christmas, please reduce your contacts, stay at home as much as is feasible right now.

“For Christmas Day and Boxing Day, we’re not asking people to cancel plans but think about keeping them as small as your family circumstances allow and make sure everyone is testing before going, and following rules around hygiene and ventilation.

“Then, after Christmas, for a period, limit your contacts again, so we can suppress infection as much as we possibly can, as we speed up the vaccination programme.”