NHS Lothian and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde sub‑national planning remuneration discussion information: FOI release

Information requested

Information relating to remuneration discussions with NHS Lothian and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde around sub‑national planning, including:

1. Correspondence about remuneration, pay uplifts, allowances and related matters.

2. Scottish Government advice or approval.

3. Calculation or benchmarking supporting remuneration decisions.

4. Decisions to pause, withdraw or review remuneration.

5. Scope of the policy and whether remuneration adjustments were expected.

Response

We hold information relevant to your request. Most of the information that you requested is provided in the annex. Some information has been withheld under applicable FOISA exemptions as explained below.

Q1 – Correspondence with NHS Lothian and NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde

We hold correspondence relating to remuneration linked to sub‑national planning roles. This information is released in Attachments 1a, b and c with some personal data and internal discussions withheld under s.29(1)(a), s.30(b)(i), s.30(b)(ii) and s.38(1)(b).

Q2 – Scottish Government advice or approval

We hold a submission relating to advice on remuneration uplifts. This information is released in Attachment 2 with some material withheld under s.29(1)(a), s.30(b)(i)/(ii) and s.38(1)(b).

Q3 – Calculation, benchmarking or justification

Relevant comparative analysis and considerations are included in Attachment 2 with some elements withheld under s.29(1)(a) and s.30(b)(i)/(ii).

Q4 – Decisions to pause, withdraw or review arrangements

We hold information concerning the February 2026 pause of the 10% uplift. This information is released in Attachment 3 with some material withheld under s.29(1)(a) and s.30(b)(i)/(ii) and being out of scope.

Q5 – Intended scope of sub‑national planning roles

Information on the intended scope of roles and remuneration expectations appears in Attachments 1b, 1c and 2. Some personal data and discussions are withheld under s.29(1)(a), s.30(b)(i), s.30(b)(ii) and s.38(1)(b).

FOISA exemptions applied

The following exemptions have been applied to some of the information:

• s.29(1)(a) – Policy formulation and development.
• s.30(b)(i) – Free and frank provision of advice.
• s.30(b)(ii) – Free and frank exchange of views.
• s.38(1)(b) – Personal data.

Only the minimum necessary redactions have been applied.

Public interest test

The exemptions applied under sections 29(1)(a), 30(b)(i) and 30(b)(ii) of FOISA are subject to the public interest test. We have considered whether the public interest would be better served by releasing the information.

There is a public interest in openness and transparency in relation to discussions on the remuneration of senior NHS leaders, particularly where these relate to national or sub-national planning roles.

However, there is a stronger public interest in:

• Protecting the Scottish Government’s ability to develop policy in a considered and effective way, without premature disclosure of ongoing internal discussions (s.29(1)(a));
• Ensuring officials can provide free and frank advice, and that Ministers and senior officials can receive unreserved, candid views when developing options and making decisions (s.30(b)(i));
• Preserving a safe space for internal deliberation, so options can be fully explored before decisions are taken (s.30(b)(ii)).

Information withheld under s.38(1)(b) relates to personal data, which is an absolute exemption and therefore does not require a public interest test.

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.

FOI 202600510310 - Information released - Annex

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PDF

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212.9 kB

FOI 202600510310 - Information released - Attachments

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677.2 kB