News In Focus
6 September 2010
Registers merger on the table
Registers of Scotland could merge with the General Register Office for Scotland and the National Archives of Scotland under a proposal put forward by Scottish ministers.
The three bodies have been asked to consider a merger, which ministers believe has the potential to deliver savings for the taxpayer while maintaining the high level of services provided.
Enterprise Minister Jim Mather said: "The Scottish Government has been acting to make our public services simpler, sharper, better co-ordinated and more responsive. We are doing this at a time when it has never been more important to maximise the value of public spending in Scotland.
"We are asking the General Register Office for Scotland, National Archives of Scotland and Registers of Scotland to work together to explore ways of working more closely together, and the potential of amalgamation."
Mr Mather said the proposal underlined the Government's commitment to simplifying the public bodies landscape in Scotland, under which the number of public bodies had been reduced from a baseline of 199 to 154, with a target of around 120 by 2011. This would deliver estimated net savings of around £125m by 2013 and net recurring annual savings of around £39m thereafter.
He added: "While the General Register Office for Scotland, National Archives of Scotland and Registers of Scotland all deliver important public services effectively, conducting an evaluation of the best way of delivering their functions in future is the right and proper action for the times."