by Democrat reporter
Scottish Labour has branded the SNP “wasteful and out of touch” as new figures show civil service and quango headcount rose while frontline services were hit with cuts.
Over the last year, there was an increase of 500 staff members at public corporations and an increase of 170 staff members at other public bodies.
The number of Scottish Government civil servants rose again, increasing by 420 despite a pledge by the SNP government to cut numbers and costs.
In contrast, local authority headcount dropped by 730 while college staffing plummeted by 430 to a record low.
Scottish Labour Finance spokesperson Michael Marra, right, said “This wasteful and out of touch SNP government keeps adding to its own bloated operations while frontline services struggle.
“Despite promises to cut the cost of government, headcount continues to spiral and taxpayers are picking up the bill.
“Once again the SNP is putting its own interests ahead of Scotland’s interest.
“The SNP has lost control of the public finances and cannot be trusted with public money.
“A Scottish Labour government will cut waste and bureaucracy and put public money where it belongs – in our overstretched public services.”
Commenting on the latest drug deaths statistics, Scottish Labour health spokesperson Jackie Baillie MSP, left, said: “It is shocking that there has been an increase in the number of suspected drug deaths across Scotland.
“There can be absolutely no room for complacency in addressing Scotland’s drug deaths crisis, and SNP ministers must wake up to the dire situation we are facing as a country.
“We also must tackle those who peddle this poison on our streets by going after the criminal gangs who are bringing devastation to communities.
“The brutal reality is that John Swinney’s approach is failing both victims and communities, with a neglected court system that is incapable of sending drug dealers to prison.
“This is simply not sustainable. Dealers are slipping through the cracks, people are dying while waiting for help, and families are losing loved ones.
“The SNP government must step up, including by increasing the number of rehab beds available and improving access to drug and alcohol services. They must act before more lives are needlessly lost.”
Meanwhile, Dame Jackie pointed out the fact that social care waiting lists at November 2025, which show the number of people waiting for a social care assessment rose by 30 per cent over the last year, while the total number of people waiting for assessments or care at home packages hit 11,036.
She said: “Social care in Scotland is stretched to breaking point under the SNP.
“The SNP’s mismanagement of social care has left thousands of Scots stuck in limbo waiting for the care they need and piled pressure on our NHS.
“After spending over £30 million pounds on a bungled plan for a National Care Service, the SNP appears to have given up entirely on fixing this broken system.
“Scottish Labour will step up where the SNP has failed and support social care services and staff so Scots get the quality care they deserve.”
A&E
Commenting on A&E figures for the week ending 7 December, which show the number of waits over 12 hours hit its second worst point on record, Scottish Labour Health spokesperson Jackie Baillie said “This dangerous rise in long waits is putting lives at risk.
“We have had years of empty promises from the SNP, but things in A&E are still at crisis point.
“Patients are being put in danger and staff are being asked to do the impossible – it is not good enough.
“We need urgent action to ward off catastrophe this winter, but we also need to make this the SNP’s last winter in charge of our health service.”
CHILDHOOD OBESITY
Commenting on Primary 1 (BMI) statistics for 2024 to 2025, which show risk of obesity among children has risen, Scottish Labour Public Health spokesperson Carol Mochan, left, said “It is worrying that the risk of obesity for boys and girls across Scotland has risen, with those in the most deprived areas most at risk.
“Labour is taking steps to limit the promotion of junk food, with a ban on online advertising targeted towards children, and junk food TV adverts before the 9pm watershed starting next year.
“We want all kids growing up in Scotland to have the best start in life and promoting an active and healthy lifestyle is part of that.
“That is why we are committed to improving access to sport in schools and encouraging people to choose healthy food options.
“Tackling obesity is the first step to ensure that Scots live healthier lives for longer, and it is on all of us to play our part.”
DELAYED DISCHARGE
Commenting on delayed discharge figures for 2024/25, which show delayed discharge hit a record high that year, Scottish Labour Health spokesperson Jackie Baillie said “The SNP once promised to end delayed discharge, but things are worse than ever before.
“Delayed discharge is causing misery for patients, piling pressure on hospitals and costing our NHS billions.
“This incompetent SNP government has no answers – but Scottish Labour will step up tackle this issue at last, by properly supporting social care and delivering the care packages people need.”
SOCIAL CARE WAITING LISTS
Commenting on social care waiting lists at November 2025, which show the number of people waiting for a social care assessment rose by 30 per cent over the last year, while the total number of people waiting for assessments or care at home packages hit 11,036.
Scottish Labour Health and Social Care spokesperson Jackie Baillie said “Social care in Scotland is stretched to breaking point under the SNP.
“The SNP’s mismanagement of social care has left thousands of Scots stuck in limbo waiting for the care they need and piled pressure on our NHS.
“After spending over £30 million pounds on a bungled plan for a National Care Service, the SNP appears to have given up entirely on fixing this broken system.
“Scottish Labour will step up where the SNP has failed and support social care services and staff so Scots get the quality care they deserve.”
AUDIT SCOTLAND REPORT INTO HES ACCOUNTS
Commenting on the Auditor General’s report on Historic Environment Scotland’s annual accounts, Scottish Labour culture spokesperson Neil Bibby MSP, right, said: “The findings outlined in this report are serious and very concerning, raising further questions about HES that must be answered.
“Among these, we must know why SNP ministers failed to appoint a substitute Accountable Officer, when the organisation operated without someone in this role for almost six months.
“Angus Robertson should make it a priority to come before Parliament and explain why this situation arose, and why there was such apparent inaction by the Scottish Government to address the situation, despite the already public concerns about HES.
“The Auditor General’s findings regarding procurement, data breaches, complimentary tickets, and a lack of a formal register of interests for the executive leadership team, are also all a matter of significant concern.
“We need answers on why this situation was allowed to transpire, and strong controls must now be put in place to prevent the risk of fraud at the organisation.
“At the heart of this is taxpayers’ money, and we have a duty to ensure that every penny is carefully considered and to avoid any possible waste in the public sector.”