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Call to cut top public pay by 5% Call to cut top public pay by 5%
(30 minutes later)
The Scottish Liberal Democrats have said they would back the SNP's budget if it agrees to cut the highest public sector pay scale by 5%.The Scottish Liberal Democrats have said they would back the SNP's budget if it agrees to cut the highest public sector pay scale by 5%.
It is one of several proposals being discussed by the parties.It is one of several proposals being discussed by the parties.
The minority SNP government needs opposition backing to get its budget through the Scottish Parliament.The minority SNP government needs opposition backing to get its budget through the Scottish Parliament.
Last week UK Chancellor Alastair Darling announced a 1% cap on pay rises for public sector workers in England and Wales.Last week UK Chancellor Alastair Darling announced a 1% cap on pay rises for public sector workers in England and Wales.
The move being proposed in Scotland would go even further.The move being proposed in Scotland would go even further.
The Lib Dems want a 5% cut for the highest earners in the public sector.The Lib Dems want a 5% cut for the highest earners in the public sector.
It would affect those on the highest incomes working for quangos, health boards, councils, universities and government agencies.It would affect those on the highest incomes working for quangos, health boards, councils, universities and government agencies.
The Liberal Democrats said their research had shown that the bill for top earners in the public sector, those taking home more than £80,000 per year, was £600m.The Liberal Democrats said their research had shown that the bill for top earners in the public sector, those taking home more than £80,000 per year, was £600m.
Scottish Lib Dem leader Tavish Scott said: "We need to see the highest paid across Scotland in the public sector taking their fair share of the financial pain that we are all in.
"And we want to make sure that we protect people on the lowest incomes working in the public sector by taking something out of the top level."
He said there were 1,200 people in the NHS alone earning more than £100,000.
The idea is that the money saved would free up millions of pounds which could be used to help those at the lower end of the income scale.The idea is that the money saved would free up millions of pounds which could be used to help those at the lower end of the income scale.