ANAS Sarwar has come under fire after saying the public sector has grown “too far” in Scotland.
The Scottish Labour leader claimed he did not want to cut public sector jobs but said the Scottish Government must ensure state spending was “efficient” during an interview on the BBC’s Sunday Show.
He said: “The headcount has gone up too far and the productivity has gone down, I think there is an issue there.”
Sarwar’s comments were challenged by host Martin Geissler, who asked: “So an Anas Sarwar Scottish Labour government would cut public sector jobs?”
The Scottish Labour leader (below) responded: “No, we wouldn’t do that. What I’m saying is, we have to look at how we reform the Scottish Government to make sure it is efficient and we also put more money public services in terms of outcomes.”
He added: “The productivity has gone down but the headcount has gone up, that is because this is a Scottish Government that is focused on the input not the outcome. I’m interested in: What does the health service actually deliver in terms of outcomes for patients and the health of our nation?
“The reality is one in six Scots are on NHS waiting lists despite us spending proportionately higher spending in Scotland than for example England and us having more staff, our productivity is lower.”
The SNP said Sarwar’s comments should worry public sector workers as he attempts to take his party back into power in Scotland after the next Scottish Parliament elections.
Those ambitions faced a challenge on Sunday as new polling put the SNP on course to retain power after the 2026 elections, if they could work with the Scottish Greens.
SNP MSP David Torrance (above) said: “Public sector workers will be furious with Anas Sarwar today – first he criticised their performance then he went on to indicate he wants to cut their jobs.
“The SNP value every single public servant and the hard work they put in to support and deliver services across Scotland, we should be thanking them not publicly criticising them.
“In Government the SNP has prioritised ensuring that public sector workers are well paid and supported to carry out their roles – it couldn't be clearer that Anas Sarwar and Labour in Scotland have different priorities.”
