Skint SNP to cut 10 jobs from party HQ to save money for Holyrood election

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The SNP plans to cut their party staff by more than a third in a bid to save money as it continues to struggle financially.

Ruling body the National Executive Committee (NEC) heard this morning that they will consult staff about reducing their numbers from 26 to 16 at the SNP headquarters in Edinburgh.

Attendees heard that it would help the party to fight the Holyrood elections in 2026 and create a more "streamlined" team.

One source said: " It's all to save money because we haven't got any. It's a shame but there are people in there who are paid too much for doing not enough, so as long as the right people are removed it won't be a bad thing."

The party has struggled for money in recent years with its membership falling by 10,000 in the last year. At its peak in 2019 the party had 125,000 members but at last count just 64,525 people were signed up.

Income from membership fees is used to fund staff salaries. In 2015 just 35 per cent of membership fees were used to pay employees but now around 80 per cent of the income is needed to fund party wages - leaving little for election campaigning.

SNP National Secretary Councillor Alex Kerr said: "The National Executive Committee has been tasked with delivering a modern, dynamic election-winning party to win in 2026 and beyond - and today's agreement to consult on a new structure at Headquarters makes key progress to deliver on that aim.

"The proposal, agreed by the SNP National Executive Committee today, would get HQ into shape for future elections and for the fight for independence. It would mean that not everyone currently employed at HQ will continue with us but a streamlined headquarters protects the long-term finances of the party and delivers on the modern, professional, election-winning organisation Scotland needs."

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