Scottish NHS staff offered pay rise

The Scottish Government last night unveiled a “substantial” pay offer for 154,000 NHS staff.

After what it described as “positive discussions” with NHS unions and NHS employers, the government offered a substantial pay rise for NHS Scotland Agenda for Change staff.

Described as “the most generous National Health Service pay uplift anywhere in the UK”, it represents the biggest single-year increase in pay for NHS staff since devolution. The rises will benefit 154,000 nurses, paramedics and allied health professionals, as well as domestic, healthcare support staff, porters and other front line health workers.

The pay rise would ensure that staff on the lowest pay bands would receive at least a 4 per cent rise compared with 2020-21, with staff who earn less than £25,000 getting a guaranteed minimum increase of more than £1,000 in 2021-22. This means that the lowest-paid staff would get a 5.4 per cent increase, with top pay bands rising by £800.

While pay increases are usually effective from 1 April, the 2021-22 pay settlement will be backdated to 1 December, 2020 in recognition of an exceptional year of significant pressure for staff. This follows the £500 “thank you payment” for health and social care workers.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said last night: “The Scottish Government has put forward an offer of the biggest single pay uplift since devolution for NHS Agenda for Change staff.”