Minimum hourly rate for PAs

A pile of coins and bank notes on top of a payslip

Each year, the Scottish Government sets the minimum hourly rate of pay for Personal Assistants who support adults.

The latest announcement is for the year starting April 2023. The Scottish Government has confirmed that the minimum rate of pay for Personal Assistants will increase to £10.90 an hour from April 2023.

The increase is part of funding agreed as part of the Scottish Budget for 2023/24 and means that the minimum hourly rate for workers providing direct adult social care, including Personal Assistants, will rise from at least £10.50 to at least £10.90 per hour.

Where PAs are already paid more than £10.90 per hour, the increased funding from Scottish Government should be used to increase pay above these levels.

Who does the minimum rate apply to?

A PA is eligible for the minimum rate if they are directly employed by the adult receiving social care support, or the person who is acting on behalf of the adult receiving the support. The person would need to receive funds to pay their PAs from either the Independent Living Fund Scotland or from a Local Authority or Health and Social Care Partnership, through Option 1 of SDS, a direct payment.

The minimum rate of pay only applies to PAs who support adults. PAs who support children are not included in the minimum rate. Likewise, PAs who are employed privately by their employer (rather than through funding from the Local Authority/ Independent Living Fund) are not included in the minimum rate of pay. In both instances, these PAs should still be paid at least the National Minimum Wage/ National Living Wage.

When will the uplift to the minimum rate be applied?

The £10.90 rate should apply for hours worked from 1st April 2023. The Scottish Government have said it may take a short time to filter through to everyone.

Local Authorities and ILF Scotland will write to PA employers to advise them of the most recent change.

What should a PA employer do if they haven’t received increased funding to pay the minimum rate?

PA employers should contact their Local Authority or ILF Scotland.

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Last Updated
28 March 2023
First Published
28 March 2023
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Disclaimer

Please note that the information contained in this Handbook is provided for guidance purposes only. Every reasonable effort is made to make the information accurate and up to date, but no responsibility for its accuracy and correctness, or for any consequences of relying on it, is assumed by Self Directed Support Scotland or any other contributing party.

The information does not, and is not intended to, amount to legal advice. You are strongly advised to obtain specific, personal and professional advice from a lawyer about employment law matters, or an accountant/ tax specialist about taxation matters, and from HMRC and your insurers. You should not rely solely on the information in this Handbook. Support organisations listed in this Handbook can help you find appropriate sources of advice.

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