First minister 'doesn’t care' about NHS Highland bullying victims compensation payments, claims Highland MSP
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A Highlands and Islands MSP has called out the first minister for showing a lack of compassion for NHS Highland bullying victims.
Edward Mountain MSP made the claim after it was revealed victim's compensation payments were reduced after NHS Highland administered the payments through payroll.
Mr Mountain raised the issue during constituency questions with the first minister today, and while she said she was "very happy" to look again at the issue – she laid the blame for taxation on the payments with the UK Government.
Mr Mountain has said he will now following up the issue with the first minister in writing following what he felt was a “disgraceful” response.
During First Minister’s Questions, Mr Mountain said: “I am sure that first minister will welcome, as I do, that compensation payments funded by the Scottish Government are being made to those who have suffered bullying within NHS Highland. A process I support.
"Unfortunately, these payments are being administered through payroll, meaning that many victims, current and past employees, are being put into higher tax brackets and those who have actually lost their jobs are now losing their benefits.
"Now the Scottish Government can make compensation payments without attracting income tax and national insurance."
He asked: "Does the first minister agree with me that unnecessarily using the payroll system compounds the pain and suffering and shows no compassion to those who have been bullied and will she resolve the issue as a matter of urgency?”
First minister Nicola Sturgeon replied: “I am very happy to look into and see whether there is a way in which we could make the payments differently in a way that would avoid tax implications.
"But you know, perhaps there is an easier way for this to be dealt with.
"The UK Government is responsible for deciding what income is subject to tax and is in charge of the majority of our benefit system decided to exempt payments like this from that. And while they are at it, they could exempt the £500 bonus for NHS and social care workers as well.”
Following the exchange, Mr Mountain said: “The first minister either doesn’t care or doesn’t understand. In four and a half years as an MSP I’ve never heard such a disgraceful response, when all that was needed was compassion.
"The first £30,000 of compensation can be made, and should have been made as a non-taxable payment. There was no need for compensation to be paid through payroll, creating tax implications and a loss of benefits for those already bullied.
"The Scottish Government, which is funding the compensation, continues to show startling hypocrisy too. The First Minister has accused the UK Government of taxing the £500 bonus to health workers, when she herself is not interested in ensuring compensation payments to bullying victims are exempt from tax. This is quite unbelievable and unacceptable.
"The First Minister and NHS Highland need to resolve this urgently. A caring employer would have made sure that this wasn’t an issue in the first place.”
