Minimum hourly rate for PAs

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

The minimum rate of pay for Personal Assistants is £10.90 an hour from April 2023.

Before April 2023 the minimum rate was £10.50 an hour. The increase has come from funding agreed as part of the Scottish Budget for 2023/24.

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.

The £10.90 an hour rate applies to all hours worked, including sleepover hours.

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 funding for the PA needs to come 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 have written to PA employers to advise them of the 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.

What should a PA do if they aren’t being paid the minimum rate?

PAs should speak to their employer to ensure they are paid the minimum rate of £10.90 an hour for all hours worked.