Scottish nurses to receive immediate pay rise of 3%

The majority of NHS Scotland staff are set to receive an immediate pay rise of three per cent, as part of longer-term government plans to improve remuneration for professionals in the sector.

A total of 147,000 Agenda for Change staff - including nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, therapists, paramedics, support staff and administrators - will receive the pay rise from next month, with the three per cent rate applying to all members of staff currently earning up to £80,000.

Those earning £80,000 and over will receive a flat rate increase of £1,600, while those who are not at the top of their pay bands will also receive any incremental progression-based pay improvements they are due. These changes will not affect doctors, dentists or senior managers.

With this move, Scottish NHS workers will be paid at least as well as their counterparts in England, and may in fact be better off in many cases. For staff receiving weekly wages, the pay uplift will come into effect on July 2nd, while monthly salaries will be raised as of the end of the month. Payments will be backdated to April 1st 2018 as soon as possible.

Currently, the Scottish government is negotiating with employers and unions on terms and conditions for a competitive new three-year pay deal for NHS Scotland workers, with this pay rise being implemented to reflect the progress made so far.

Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "We're currently in negotiations to agree a three-year pay deal for NHS staff in which we aim to not just match but exceed the deal agreed in England. I hope these talks reach a positive conclusion soon.

"But I don't want those working so hard in the NHS to have to wait for that agreement to get a pay rise this year. So I can announce today that we will make a payment on account as negotiations continue."

Written by James Puckle

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