Taxpayer group calls for pension review after SLAB chief’s remuneration triples

Colin Lancaster (pictured), who assumed the role last September, was given a £100,000 salary as well as a single annual increase in his pension benefit of £189,000.

In 2014, he was earning £75,000 a year plus £24,000 in pension benefits.

SLAB said Mr Lancaster has “the same pension scheme benefits as other employees”.

The news comes as the Law Society of Scotland pointed to an eight per cent reduction in the legal aid budget over last year’s spend.

Legal assistance cost taxpayers £137.8 million in 2015-16, £800,000 less than in the previous year.

Eben Wilson, from Taxpayer Scotland, said: “Benefits in the public sector seem to have gone out of control.

“No-one in the private sector with a contributory pension can compete with these benefits.

“It really is time that our politicians took action to curb this. The Scottish government talk about fairness and equality, then those on their payroll appear to live on another planet.”

Mr Lancaster’s remuneration details came to light as the board noted that the cap on its administrative budget imposed in 2007/08 has resulted in a 15 per cent drop in staff numbers.