Costs for the development of the Children (Scotland) Bill: FOI release

Information requested

'Do government staff not fill in weekly timesheets, like any private company?'

'Can you please explain how costs are controlled if you have no idea of staff time spent on tasks?'

The context in which you have asked for this information is contained within an email referring to the development of the Children (Scotland) Bill (the Bill), and is a follow-up ask to a request you made under FOISA for information relating to the costs of that Bill (Our Reference: 202500452355). We have therefore interpreted your ask about ‘government staff’ as referring to those who worked on the development of the Bill. As such, we have not specifically included information on other roles within the Scottish Government.

You have not included a timeframe for your information request. However, due to the nature of your questions, we have interpreted this as a request for the latest information available on the matters raised.

Response

You asked for information on whether or not Scottish Government staff complete timesheets on a weekly basis.

There is no requirement for Scottish Government employees to complete weekly timesheets. Staff below the Senior Civil Service (SCS) grades do use an electronic system to record their start and finish times, including breaks, but this is not a task-based timesheet.

Recording hours in this manner ensures that the Scottish Government complies with health and safety legislation, working hours under the Working Time Regulations and statutory obligations around hours and rest breaks. It also enables individuals, along with their managers, to monitor work patterns to ensure their continued wellbeing. The Scottish Government also operates a Flexible Working Hours (‘Flexi’) Policy for most permanent staff below the SCS grades. This uses the electronic system mentioned above to keep track of hours worked across a four-week flexi accounting period.

You asked for an explanation as to how Scottish Government costs are controlled, with particular reference to staff.

The Scottish Government Operating Costs documents, which are published to support the Scottish Government budget, provide an overview as to how the operating costs (including staff and associated operation costs) and corporate running costs are managed and allocated by portfolio. The latest publication for this refers to the 2025-26 financial year.

Staff operating costs are monitored and reported as part of the monthly budget monitoring returns. Final outturn is reported in the Annual Report and Accounts. The latest published report is from March 2024.

The Annual Report and Accounts does not include a specific section on staff costs. However, the Scottish Public Finance Manual provides the principles on managing public resources.

There are published statistics on the Scottish Government workforce. Workforce numbers and associated costs are monitored to ensure continued value for money.

About FOI

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