THE Scottish Government has offered an 8% pay rise over two years to NHS staff.
Health Secretary Neil Gray set out plans for a 4.25% increase in 2025-26 and a 3.75% rise next year.
The offer – which the Government said would cost around £191 million – will also be protected by an “inflation guarantee”, meaning pay increases will always be at least 1% above the Consumer Price Index rate.
Unison has announced plans to ballot staff on the changes, with the union’s co-lead for health in Scotland Matt Mclaughlin saying: “The Government has said that this is its final offer.
“The union’s health committee will now take soundings from NHS staff and then meet to discuss next steps.
“Unison members always have the final say on their pay so the union will put it to them in a consultative ballot as soon as that can be arranged.”
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Scotland said its board is “considering” the offer “in detail”.
Director Colin Poolman said: “Our pay claim, submitted in January, called for an offer that reflects increases in living costs and begins to address the historic erosion of pay.
“RCN Scotland board members are considering the Scottish Government’s offer in detail.
“Nursing staff are the ever-present, safety critical workforce across the whole of health and care. Fair pay is vital to recruiting and retaining nursing staff, to filling the thousands of vacant nursing jobs and giving people the care they deserve.”
Poolman hit out at the timetable for negotiations, claiming nurses are “rightly frustrated” that the Government “kept them waiting”.
Claire Ronald, the senior negotiating officer in Scotland for the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists, said the deal is “the best that can be achieved”, adding it will now consult members.
Gray (above) described the deal as “strong”, saying it had come as a result of “constructive” talks with unions.
“It is guaranteed to remain above CPI inflation, which gives added reassurance to staff, and will ensure Scotland’s nurses, midwives and NHS staff have the best pay in the UK,” he said.
“This comes on the back of increased employer national insurance contributions following the UK Government announcement in October 2024.
“It directly increases the overall cost of pay by an estimated £191 million for Scotland’s NHS.
“I want to express my thanks again to Scotland’s hardworking healthcare staff for their continued hard work and commitment.
“The unions will now consult their members and I hope this offer will be accepted.”
