Scottish NHS Workers Offered 5.5% Pay Rise

The Scottish Government has proposed a 5.5% pay rise for nearly 170,000 NHS workers, including nurses, paramedics, and allied health professionals, as part of a £448 million package for the 2024-25 fiscal year. This increase, backdated to April 1, 2024, is intended to ensure that NHS Scotland staff receive the best pay package in the UK, matching an offer made to NHS workers in England. Unions, including Unite, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), and Unison, are set to ballot their members on this proposal, with recommendations for acceptance. Health Secretary Neil Gray expressed gratitude for the commitment of healthcare staff and emphasized the government’s support during the ongoing cost of living crisis. However, union representatives indicated that it took significant pressure to reach this offer, reflecting frustrations over delayed negotiations amid rising living costs. The final decision rests with union members, who will assess whether the proposal meets their needs.