What steps it is taking to ensure that its employee recruitment and progression remains (a) based on merit and (b) unconstrained by proximi…

The Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government has responsibility for the operational running of the organisation, including the workforce related location and resourcing policies.All internal Civil Service vacancies within the Scottish Government are advertised through the internal jobs portal and are open to all eligible staff. While posts may indicate a preferred location, there are no restrictions preventing employees from applying for any internal role, regardless of their current place of work.Work to clarify a location policy for Scottish Government core staff will consider a range of relevant factors and benefit from consultation with trade unions and engagement with staff and diversity networks across the organisation. Until the location policy has been reviewed, interim arrangements are in place for people who live distant from their contractual work location.I would encourage the member to direct any further questions on this matter to the Permanent Secretary.