MSPs condemn jobs relocation move

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A fresh row has erupted over the Scottish Executive's flagship policy of relocating hundreds of civil service jobs outside Edinburgh.

The move has been heavily criticised by a powerful committee of MSPs.

Holyrood's audit committee said the policy was flawed and inconsistent and singled out Environment Minister Ross Finnie for particular censure.

Ministers introduced the policy in 1999, to spread the benefits of devolution throughout the country.

However, the report said: "The committee is disappointed to observe that the relocation of organisations to date is not delivering a true dispersal of jobs throughout Scotland."

Members also concluded that the implementation of the policy had been flawed and inconsistent.

The principles of the executive's relocation policy attracted widespread support but concerns have emerged over the way in which it has been put into practice Brian MonteithIndependent MSP

The committee report was also scathing of the decision to move Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) from its base in Edinburgh to Inverness in the Highlands.

It said arguments put forward by ministers for the move did not justify the change.

MSPs said the executive should have clearly spelled out the reasons for opting for the Highland city ahead of other locations.

The committee said that the total cost for the move was likely to be in the region of £30m, which they said did not provide value for money.

Committee convener Brian Monteith said: "The principles of the executive's relocation policy attracted widespread support but concerns have emerged over the way in which it has been put into practice.

"The methodology used by the executive to decide on the relocation of organisations has proved a blunt instrument which has failed to deliver a true dispersal of jobs throughout Scotland."

Key objectives

Since the policy was introduced in 1999, 38 organisations, employing 3,855 staff, have undergone relocation reviews.

The majority of these have been based in Edinburgh and a total of 2,432 jobs have been moved out of the capital, with another 260 in the process of moving.

Glasgow City Council was recently involved in a long-running battle to get Sportscotland to relocate in the city.

Committee members said the executive was not yet able to gauge the extent to which the key objectives of the relocation policy were being achieved.

They also found that the best location for some organisations was Edinburgh, in order that they could work with the parliament and other bodies in the capital.