3<\/p>\n Scottish Tory Craig Hoy hit out at the Scottish Government over the “unsustainable spending” 3<\/p>\n Scottish Lib Dem MP Christine Jardine said the government should keep staffing under control 3<\/p>\n First Minister John Swinney is under pressure<\/p>\n Workforce costs surged to more than \u00a3600m over the same period, an increase of more than 100 per cent.<\/p>\n Opposition politicians have accused SNP ministers<\/a> of \u201cshowing contempt for hard-pressed Scots\u201d and branded the spending \u201cunsustainable\u201d.<\/p>\n Scottish Tory<\/a> shadow finance secretary Craig Hoy said: \u201cThe SNP\u2019s big state has spiralled in size in recent years and shows no sign of stopping.<\/p>\n \u201cThe staggering increase in spending in relation to civil servants in recent years sums up their contempt for hard-pressed Scots.<\/p>\n \u201cThey will be appalled that they are paying the highest rates of income tax in the UK to help build an ever-growing army of civil servants, with workforce costs hitting over \u00a3600 million alone, while simultaneously our public services worsen.<\/p>\n \u201cThis level of unsustainable spending is clearly harmful for Scotland\u2019s economy, which is already performing poorly under the SNP.\u201d<\/p>\n Scottish Lib Dem MP<\/a>, Christine Jardine, said: \u201cThe Scottish Government should keep their staffing under regular review to ensure that it is delivering for taxpayers.<\/p>\n \u201cWorking people have felt the squeeze of the cost of living crisis in recent years, they need to know their taxes are being well spent.\u201d<\/p>\n Labour\u2019s Michael Marra weighed in: \u201cWhile lifeline services are creaking under SNP incompetence, its own bloated operation gets a blank cheque.\u201d<\/p>\n TERRIFYING drone footage lays bare horrific wildfires ripping through parts of Scotland<\/p>\n The number of Scottish Government employees also reached over 9,000 last year – a 71 per cent rise since 2016.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, spending on high-pay grade civil servants has also tripled.<\/p>\n![\"Alamy](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Alamy_Live_First_Ministers_Questions_Scottish_Parliament_3A51M74jpg-JS981233956.jpg\")
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