NHS Scotland staff offered nine per cent pay deal

NHS Scotland nurses - Image credit: Scottish Government

NHS staff in Scotland have been offered a nine per cent pay rise over three years.

The offer is to ‘Agenda for Change’ staff who earn under £80,000 a year, including all nurses, midwives, allied health professionals and paramedics.

Trade unions will now ballot their members on it.

Staff earning over £80,000 such as most doctors, dentists or senior managers would have their pay rise capped at £1,600 a year.

Staff had already been given a three per cent pay rise this year, which was announced by Nicola Sturgeon at SNP conference, and the new deal means it would be extended for another two years.

Health secretary Shona Robison said she was “proud to be offering this significant pay rise”.

“In this 70th anniversary year I am delighted that we have been able to offer NHS Scotland staff a pay settlement which not only matches the NHS England deal - but exceeds it,” she said.

Theresa Fyffe, Scotland director for the Royal College of Nursing, said: “This is the largest pay rise offered to nurses in 10 years and we believe it is the best deal that can be achieved through negotiation at this time.

“It is now time for members to make up their own minds on whether to accept or reject it.

“It has been a long road to get to this point. Over a year ago we launched the ‘Scrap the Cap’ campaign which paved the way for these negotiations. It’s a success story that shows how our members can have an impact on government economic policy.”

The board of the Royal College of Midwives said it recommended members take the deal.

Lead negotiator Emma Currer said “This is something the RCM and other unions have been fighting for. This is a good deal and one that we believe is the best that can be achieved in the current economic climate.”

She added: “However, we also see this as the starting point for better pay for NHS staff, not the end point.”

Chair of UNISON Scotland’s health committee, Tam Waterson, said the union was also recommending members accept the deal.

“This is not a perfect deal and it does not go the full way to recovering the losses incurred by health workers during more than a decade of austerity and pay cuts,” he said.

“But it puts money in our members’ pockets now so that many will reach the agreed rate for the job faster than they would have done with current pay arrangements.”

The consultation lasts from 2 July to 15 August 2018.