Current status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 12 March 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that civil servants based in rural, island and remote communities are not placed at a structural disadvantage in career progression compared with staff based in Edinburgh and the central belt.
The Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government has responsibility for the operational running of the organisation, including the workforce related hybrid working policy.
Work to clarify a location policy for Scottish Government core staff will consider a range of relevant factors and benefit from consultation with trade unions and engagement with staff and diversity networks across the organisation. Until the location policy has been reviewed, interim arrangements are in place for people who live distant from their contractual work location.
I would encourage the member to direct any further questions on this matter to the Permanent Secretary.