Payroll glitch hits MSPs

MSPs will have to wait for their money

Scotland's MSPs and thousands of civil servants have not been paid.

Staff at the Scottish Executive, the Scottish Parliament and the Scotland Office were due to receive their salaries on Friday.

A problem at Surrey-based payroll firm ADP Chessington means money will not now reach bank accounts until Tuesday.

MSPs and Scotland's most senior government officials are among almost 5,000 people affected.

A Scottish Parliament spokeswoman said: "This is clearly a very unsatisfactory situation, albeit one completely outwith our control.

No-one seems to know if it's a technical problem or a human cock-up

Paul Holleran
National Union of Journalists

"The parliament is pursuing the matter with ADP Chessington."

ADP Chessington has asked banks and building societies to honour any payments or cash withdrawals due to be cleared between Friday and Monday.

The cost of any charges incurred as a result of the problem will be picked up by the company.

Paul Holleran, a National Union of Journalists official, said: "It's payday today and when people turned up this morning to access cash, there were no salaries in the bank.

"We spent most of the day trying to find out from the personnel department and in turn from the bank, but no-one seems to know if it's a technical problem or a human cock-up.

"Certainly it has shocked our members."

Mr Holleran said he was seeking assurances that the situation would not be repeated in future.