MSPs back moratorium on new commissioners to allow ‘root and branch’ review

MSPs have voted in favour of a moratorium on creating statutory commissioners in Scotland until a “root and branch” review of them is carried out.

There have been concerns about the proliferating number of independent commissioners, creating a complex landscape and rising bills for the public purse.

There are currently seven independent commissioners working in Scotland, with approval having already been given for a new Patient Safety Commissioner to be established.

Current bodies include the Standards Commission for Scotland, the Scottish Information Commissioner, the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman and the Scottish Human Rights Commission.

A further six have been proposed or are being actively considered, leading to Holyrood’s Finance Committee saying the situation is “not sustainable”.

A motion from convener Kenneth Gibson called for a dedicated committee to carry out a “root and branch” review into the commissioner landscape, during which time there should be a moratorium on creating any such bodies.

The Government’s amendment agreed with the moratorium but said Parliament can still make decisions on Bills which have already been introduced.

The amendment passed by 84 votes to 25 with seven abstentions.

The amended motion passed by 92 votes to 24.

Speaking for the Government during the debate on Thursday, public finance minister Ivan McKee said the review must be completed by June next year.

He said he recognises the “need to bring structure to the commissioner landscape”.

Maggie Chapman spoke on behalf of the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body (SPCB), the cross-party group which oversees the commissioners and approves their appointments.

Ms Chapman said in 2003 there were just two commissioners with an overall budget of £1.3 million.

This has now grown to seven or eight bodies at a cost of £18.2 million, she said.

Ms Chapman said: “Supporting office holders have become very time-consuming for the SPCB.”

However Labour’s Sarah Boyack, who has advocated for a wellbeing and sustainable development commissioner, urged caution.

She said halting all commissioners risks “throwing the baby out with the bathwater”.

Conservative MSP Jeremy Balfour has proposed the creation of a disability commissioner.

He said disabled people in Scotland “need a solution now, the situation is not getting better”.