Committee
Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee 26 February 2026 [Draft]
26 Feb 2026 · S6 · Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee
Item of business
Subordinate Legislation
Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Act 2025 (Consequential Provision) Regulations 2026 [Draft]
I thank the committee for inviting me to give evidence on these regs.The SSI seeks to resolve a disconnect between the rules affecting dual mandate MSPs’ salaries and their pensions, as governed by the Scottish Parliamentary Pensions Act 2009 and the Scotland Act 1998. This stemmed from the dual mandate regulations that I brought forward, which were considered by this committee last year.This area could be described as one where responsibility is shared between Government and Parliament. Although the Government brought forward the dual mandate regulations, the Parliament has responsibility for the 2009 act and the rules of the MSP pension scheme. It is clear that the impact of the dual mandate regulations that the Government brought forward last year left those two pieces of legislation out of step with each other. When oversights are identified, it is important that appropriate action is taken, which is what the Government has done.The issues with the original regulations were highlighted by the Scottish parliamentary pension scheme trustees. I understand that the disconnect, if it is not resolved, could impact annual pension figures and periods of reckonable service of any dual mandate MSP/MPs or MSP/councillors if elected following the upcoming Scottish Parliament election.Following input that we have had from the parliamentary authorities and the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, I am confident that this correcting instrument will ensure that those minor and technical cross-referencing issues are addressed prior to the dual mandate regulations taking effect at midnight on 7 May. I am grateful to the Parliament for its co-operation in working to resolve the issues.
In the same item of business
09:00
The Convener
Lab
Our next agenda item is consideration of the Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Act 2025 (Consequential Provision) Regulations 2026, which are su...
The Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans (Graeme Dey)
SNP
I thank the committee for inviting me to give evidence on these regs.The SSI seeks to resolve a disconnect between the rules affecting dual mandate MSPs’ sal...
The Convener
Lab
I have one question, by way of clarification. If I understand it correctly, three parties are involved: the trustees of the pension, who initially identified...
Graeme Dey
SNP
I think that the convener’s latter point is the most accurate one.I also want to apologise—on our part—that we find ourselves in this situation. That is for ...
The Convener
Lab
Thank you for your response with regard to my question about the pension trustees.The committee acknowledges the position that we are in. As is always the ca...