SNP's 'bloated' civil service grows in size despite vows to reduce in John Swinney's reforms
The increased size of the Scottish government’s civil service comes as the workforce south of the border reduced for the first time since 2021.
John Swinney has been accused of overseeing Scotland’s “bloated” public sector continuing to grow despite promises to cut the workforce over the next five years.
Public sector employment statistics, published by the Scottish government, show that despite a commitment to reduce the workforce by 0.5 per cent for each of the next five years, the devolved civil service has grown in size by 1.1 per cent.
According to the statistics, as of June 2026, there were 553,600 people employed in the devolved public sector, an increase of 6,060, amounting to a 1.1 per cent rise, since June 2025.
The increase in Scotland is in stark contrast to UK figures showing the UK civil service workforce has decreased in size for the first time in five years.
READ MORE: John Swinney urged to give full details on public sector reforms after 'masterclass in evasion'
An estimated 557,000 people were employed in the civil service as of June 2026, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), a reduction of 1,000 from 558,000 in March 2026. It is the first quarter on quarter fall since June 2021.
The figures for Scotland show that between June 2025 and June 2026, employment in the NHS has increased by two per cent, amounting to 3,700 employees, there has been a one per cent rise in the Scottish government’s devolved civil service, a 0.9 per cent increase in local government and 2.7 per cent in public corporations.
In her budget in January, then SNP finance secretary, Shona Robison, set out plans to whittle down the devolved public sector workforce, by 0.5 per cent every year for the next five years - losing around 12,000 roles in total.
The Scottish Conservatives have argued the figures show that Mr Swinney’s pledges to reduce the size of the devolved civil service are off track. The First Minister is acing pressure from trade unions over the likelihood that jobs will need cut as part of the strategy.
Scottish Conservative public service reform spokesperson, Murdo Fraser, said: “Scotland’s bloated public sector only continues to grow under the SNP.
“We have repeatedly heard that SNP ministers are going to get a grip of the public sector and make it more efficient, but these figures fly in the face of that.”
He added: “After two decades of SNP rule, the public sector in Scotland is inefficient, wasteful and failing to deliver value for taxpayers.
“Any proposals to finally change this situation are welcome, but these statistics raise serious questions about whether John Swinney will follow through on his planned reforms, or if he will just bow to the demands from unions.
“John Swinney cannot continue to keep Scots in the dark over his changes. He must finally provide the detail to stop the growing feeling that he’s making these reforms up as he goes along.”
A Scottish government spokesperson said: “The Scottish government’s focus remains improving the wider public sector workforce through reform, efficiency, and natural attrition, ensuring resources are directed where they have the greatest impact for the people of Scotland.
“The size of the core Scottish government’s total workforce has reduced every year since we implemented recruitment controls in 2022.
“Ministers are committed to protecting front line roles and will continue to work with partners, staff and trade unions to ensure we have the right number of people in the right roles to improve services and deliver value for the public."
Comments
Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.