Parliamentary staff offices
Allowances Office
The Allowances Office manage the payment of travel and expenses for Members, their staff and Parliament staff such as:
- overnight accommodation
- travel expenses
- MSP disability allowance
- MSP staff costs
- MSP office costs
- when an MSP is leaving office (winding up costs)
Payments for Members and their staff are made through the Members' Expenses Scheme.
Learn more about the Members' expenses scheme
Broadcasting and Production Services Office
The Broadcasting Office is responsible for the Parliament's sound and video including:
- supplying sound and video for television companies
- providing Parliament with its sound and electronic-voting system
- making videos to explain the work of the Parliament
- running the Scottish Parliament TV website
Business Continuity Office
The Business Continuity Office help all areas of the Parliament think about the issues that might disrupt what they normally do. It then develops plans to deal with those disruptions when they occur.
Business Information Technology (BIT) Office
The BIT Office support the Parliament in its main building at Holyrood and in MSP offices across Scotland.
It provides:
- technology to make parliamentary business work
- IT support to MSPs, their staff and Parliament staff
Chamber Office
The Chamber Office:
- support the Presiding Officers for all meetings of the Parliament
- support debates and votes in the Chamber
- processes parliamentary questions and motions
- advise MSPs about the rules for motions and amendments
The Chamber Office is made up of 4 teams:
- Chamber Desk - manage parliamentary questions, motions and amendments
- Parliamentary Business Team - support business in the Chamber
- Legislation Team - manage all parts of the Bill processes
- Non-Government Bills Unit - manage proposals for Members' Bills and Committee Bills
Staff in the Chamber Office also provide support to the Parliamentary Bureau.
Clerk/ Chief Executive’s Office
The Chief Executive’s Office support the Clerk/Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive.
It also supports the:
- Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB)
- Leadership Group
- Advisory Audit Board
The office is responsible for:
- internal communications
- supporting the SPCB in its role with parliamentary funded officeholders
- electoral matters relating to the Parliament
Committee Office
The Committee Office support the committees and Conveners' Group (a group of all the committee conveners).
Committee Engagement Unit
The Committee Engagement Unit support people living in Scotland to:
- get involved with the work of committees
- share their views and experiences
Education Services Office
Education Services provide classroom sessions and resources about the Parliament to students in Scotland.
Events and Exhibitions Office
The Events and Exhibitions Office manage:
- events and exhibitions in the Parliament
- the Parliament's collection of contemporary art and crafts
Facilities Management Office
The Facilities Management Office manage and maintain the Parliament's accommodation and many of its services such as cleaning and catering.
It advises on:
- health and safety
- fire safety management
- sustainable development
- local office support
Finance Office
The Finance Office pay, manage and report on the Parliaments finances.
Gaelic Services Office
Gaelic Services promote the work of the Parliament and public engagement in Gaelic.
It develops and delivers the Parliament’s Gaelic Language Plan.
Human Resources Office
The Human Resources Office provide advice and services to MSPs and Parliament staff on:
- recruitment
- learning and development
- policies
- diversity, inclusion and wellbeing
Information Management and Governance Team
The Information Management and Governance team provide guidance and training in:
- records management
- information management
- archiving
- freedom of information
- data protection
- copyright
- open data
International Relations Office
The International Relations Office help the Parliament develop and strengthen its links with other:
- parliaments
- governments
- international organisations
Legal Services Office
Solicitors in the Legal Services Office are the lawyers for the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB). They provide legal advice to:
- committees
- the Presiding Officers
- the SPCB and all offices in the parliament
- MSPs – subject to conditions set by the SPCB
Media Relations Office
The Media Relations Office promote the work of the Parliament and give journalists information about:
- committees
- Chamber business
- the work of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body
- public engagement activities
Official Report Office
The Official Report Office prepare an almost word for word written record of everything said in public meetings of Parliament and committees.
Learn more about the Official Report
Office of the Deputy Chief Executive
The Office of the Deputy Chief Executive is responsible for several functions including:
- strategy
- planning
- risk Management
- project and portfolio management
- corporate reporting
- audit
Office of the Presiding Officer
The Office of the Presiding Officer provide advice and support to the Presiding Officer and Deputy Presiding Officers.
Pay and Pensions Office
The Pay and Pensions Office provide payroll and pension administration to:
- MSPs
- MSP staff
- parliament staff
- Officeholders
Procurement Office
The Procurement Office source and procure goods and services for the Parliament.
Public Information and Resources Office
The Public Information and Resources Office:
- respond to public enquiries
- develop information resources
- administer the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body complaints procedure
- arrange for translations, interpretation and transcription to other formats and languages
Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe)
SPICe provide MSPs, MSP staff and Parliament staff with:
- facts, analysis and briefings
- a research and enquiry service
- impartial knowledge
- news and current affairs
- access to academic expertise
Security Office
The Security Office provide security for the Parliament building and the people who work in it. It protects:
- MSPs, staff, contractors and members of the public
- Parliament equipment and assets
It also helps make sure business runs smoothly and people who want to visit the Parliament are safe.
Visitor Services Office
The Visitor Services Office provide:
- tickets for public galleries in the Chamber and committee rooms
- accessible support and facilities for visitors
- guided tours and short talks
It also runs the Parliament gift shop.
Web and Social Media Office
The Web and Social Media Office promote the work of the Parliament and support public engagement online.
It manages the Parliament’s:
- websites
- social media channels such as Facebook and Twitter
- digital consultation tools
- digital campaigns
It also:
- produces videos, short interviews and podcasts
- trains and supports staff
- provides social media advice to MSPs and their staff
Scottish Parliament social media channels