Paul Hutcheon

The Scottish Government has ruled out introducing severance payments for councillors who lose their seats in the 2027 local elections, despite recommendations from an independent review calling for a scheme similar to that available to MSPs and MPs. Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth said there was not enough time to develop a clear and coherent system before the vote and cited wider public‑sector financial pressures. COSLA and individual councillors criticised the decision as unfair and a barrier to broadening representation in local government.