Public Sector Pay Strategy definitions: FOI release

Information requested

1. Please provide the Scottish Government's official definition of that which is classed as "remuneration" and the different modes and methods that are included within that definition, either according to the Scottish Government itself or from the organisation that provided them with said definition (eg, UK Government).

For example, does "remuneration" mean legal tender and/or legal currency only? Or could it include chocolate buttons or Pokemon cards if someone so desired to be paid for their services?

Response

The answer to your question is there is not an explicit definition of “remuneration” within the Public Sector Pay Strategy.

In terms of public sector pay policy, while we do not provide an explicit definition of remuneration in our documents, it is generally understood to be the money paid to an individual for their work and can include base salary, overtime, allowances, pension contributions. It may also include, where appropriate, performance payments and non-salary rewards. However individual employers may have their own specific definitions.

The Technical Guide which supports the Pay Strategy provides definitions on the following in the glossary.

• Baseline salaries
• Base pay or basic pay
• Consolidated performance payments
• Non-consolidated performance payments

Here are the links to the documents referenced above:

• Public sector pay strategy 2023 to 2024
• Public sector pay strategy 2023 to 2024: technical guide

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.