Analysis on the productivity of civil servants: FOI release

Information requested

Between 31st March 2019 and 31st March 2024, the number of civil servants in Scottish Government core Directorates went from 6,650 to 9,185 - a 38% increase.

Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics

Has the Scottish Government done any kind of analysis on the productivity of these civil servants? Has any assessment been made of whether the substantially increased headcount represents value for money? If so, and in both cases, please provide the analysis.

Response

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government does not have the productivity analysis information you have requested.

Our response is as follows:

• The Scottish Government routinely reviews its total workforce, both civil servants and contingent workers to ensure they are effectively and efficiently deployed.
• The Scottish Government workforce size grew between 2019 and 2022 to deliver on devolved powers, manage the implications of EU Exit and, primarily, to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic. As we emerged from the pandemic in 2022 the growth has been halted at a total workforce level i.e. directly employed and contingent workers.
• Scottish Government total workforce was at its highest in September 2022. The total workforce level was 11,807 comprised of 9,150 directly employed and 1,937 contingent workers. In June 2024, total workforce level was 10,502, comprised of 9,288 directly employed and 1,214 contingent workers, a drop of 817 (40%) contingent workers.
• The response to the conflict in Ukraine, the establishment of ScotWind and other developments have been accommodated within these totals.
• Given the range of responsibilities, the Scottish Government does not have a singular productivity metric. Performance is monitored through a range of different metrics appropriate to the work.
• These include: responding to Parliamentary Questions or Freedom of Information requests; delivery of Government projects; financial performance; people management and those specific to particular business areas which are amenable to regular measurement and tracking such as casework or query resolution.
• These metrics are reviewed and overseen through directorate and corporate governance structures, and are used to inform decisions in relation to the deployment of the workforce.
• The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that it continually improves the way in which these responsibilities are delivered, with the aim of ensuring greater efficiency, effectiveness and value for public money.

To confirm - the Scottish Government published workforce statistics are published here:
Scottish Government workforce information - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

These statistics show that between March 2019 and March 2024, the number of civil servants in Scottish Government core directorates went from 6,402 to 8,843 full time equivalent (FTE) directly employed staff - a 38% increase.

The gov.uk statistics you refer to in your question are based on our publication. Please refer to Table_8 which lists the headcount figures for the Scottish Government: ‘Scottish Government (excluding agencies)’, for March 2024 these refer to 9,220 total staff headcount, compared to 9,222 headcount in our publication. The gov.uk statistics are rounded to the nearest 5 explaining the variance.

Please note these figures are headcount as apposed to above which are FTE hence the difference.

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.