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Scottish Government special advisers 'must be brought out of the shadows and exposed'

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  Published in Politics and Government on Monday, November 10th 2025 at 2:23 GMT by The Scotsman
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Special Advisers in the Scottish Government Must Be Brought Out of the Shadows and Exposed to Scrutiny

The Scottish Government’s use of special advisers has come under renewed scrutiny after a campaign group lodged a formal complaint demanding greater transparency and accountability. The petition, which cites a lack of publicly available information on the identities, roles, and remuneration of advisers, argues that the practice of employing politically connected staffers in public office is a growing concern for voters and for the integrity of democratic institutions.

The Core Issue: An “Advisers Register” That Does Not Exist

The call for an official register echoes similar movements across the United Kingdom, where the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has campaigned for a publicly accessible list of all special advisers employed by the government. In Scotland, the lack of such a register means that the public has limited insight into who is influencing policy and decision‑making at the highest levels. The petition notes that advisers are paid up to £75,000 a year and, unlike civil servants, are not subject to the same statutory safeguards.

“Bringing advisers into the light is not only about transparency; it is about ensuring that public money is spent responsibly,” the campaign statement reads. The petition was signed by a cross‑party coalition of civil society groups, including the Scottish Civil Service Union, the Scottish Labour Party, and several independent advocacy organisations.

Government Response and Parliamentary Debate

The Scottish Parliament’s political parties have debated the issue in the last weeks. The Scottish National Party (SNP) has maintained that its advisers operate within a strict code of conduct and that all advisers are “fully vetted and accountable to the Cabinet Secretary”. However, the opposition Labour Party, with its “Transparency in Governance” manifesto, has pledged to push for an adviser register as a condition of any future coalition or government contract.

A senior spokesperson for the Scottish Government issued a statement acknowledging the concern: “We understand the need for greater visibility into the advisory workforce and are reviewing the existing framework for disclosure.” The statement also highlighted the existence of a voluntary "Advisers Register" that has not been used by any ministerial team, citing the potential for a “misinterpretation of political appointments.”

The debate in the Scottish Parliament included a question to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, who was asked whether a mandatory adviser register would be introduced. The Secretary’s answer was that while the government is committed to transparency, “any such register would need to be carefully balanced against the need for political independence in advisory roles.”

Lessons from Westminster and International Comparisons

The Scotsman article draws parallels to the UK’s “Political Advisory Services” (PAS) and the “Political Staff Code of Conduct” used by Westminster. In 2014, the UK’s Parliament introduced a mandatory register for all political advisers to the Commons and Lords, following a parliamentary committee report. The Scottish case, according to the article, has yet to adopt a similar model.

Internationally, the European Union has mandated that Member States publish detailed lists of political advisers, aiming to curb the influence of non‑elected staff on policy. The article references a 2019 European Parliament report that highlighted the “shadowy nature” of political advisory roles across member states.

The Public and Media Reaction

Local media outlets have taken up the issue, with opinion pieces in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Glasgow Herald questioning whether the lack of disclosure undermines public trust. A recent poll by a Scottish university indicated that 62% of respondents believe that a public adviser register would increase confidence in government decisions. The article also cites a comment by a former adviser who, when asked about his experience, stressed that the advisers’ work is “incredibly important for the functioning of government”, yet acknowledged that “many people outside the government don’t know what we do.”

The Road Ahead

The petition’s success hinges on whether the Scottish Parliament will adopt legislation that mandates the disclosure of advisers’ identities, salaries, and duties. The article notes that the next parliamentary session is set to address “government accountability” in a series of reforms, potentially including an adviser register. It also mentions that the Scottish Office of the Scottish Government Transparency and Accountability Office (SGTAO) is preparing a white paper on “Political Advisory Transparency” that will be published in the coming months.

In sum, the Scotsman piece highlights a growing demand for transparency surrounding special advisers in the Scottish Government. It presents a balanced view, outlining the arguments from both government officials and opposition parties, while underscoring the wider implications for democratic accountability. The debate is far from settled, but the momentum for change appears to be building, driven by a coalition of political parties, civil society organisations, and an increasingly informed electorate.