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Nurses in Scotland set to consider final pay offer of 5%

Government lauds offer as ‘biggest single year NHS pay uplift since devolution’, but RCN says it ‘falls far short of expectations of a fair pay award’

Government lauds offer as ‘biggest single year NHS pay uplift since devolution’, but RCN says it ‘falls far short of expectations of a fair pay award’

Nurses in Scotland set to consider final pay offer of 5%
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Nursing staff working in the NHS in Scotland have been offered a 5% pay increase for 2022-23.

The offer by the Scottish Government follows negotiations over the past few weeks between the RCN and other health trade unions with the government and NHS employers.

Negotiations ended on Tuesday 14 June without agreement, but led to the Scottish Government making a final offer of 5%.

Union members will now consider whether to accept or reject the offer.

Members to have ‘final say’ on whether pay offer makes the grade

RCN Scotland Board Chair Julie Lamberth said: ‘This offer falls far short of our expectations of a fair pay award.

‘We will consider the detail of the offer and how to consult members on whether it is acceptable to them.

‘Ultimately, it will be our members who have the final say on whether or not this pay offer makes the grade.’

But while the RCN say the offer falls short, the Scottish Government called it a record offer.

They say it would see nurses getting a pay rise of more than £1,600 and advanced nurse practitioners receiving almost £2,400 more.

Pay rise of 12.5% is the only way to recognise nurses’ safety-critical role, says RCN

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: ‘Our NHS Agenda for Change workforce – like nursing and midwifery staff, porter staff, and therapy staff – have long had the best pay and conditions in the UK, and with today’s offer of a 5% pay rise we’re demonstrating our commitment to ensuring that continues to be the case.

‘Following constructive discussions with unions and employers, we are offering the biggest single year NHS pay uplift since devolution.’

The RCN has been campaigning for an above-inflation pay increase of 12.5%, which they say is the only way to recognise the safety-critical role and skill of nurses and makes up for years of real-term pay reduction.

The RCN Scotland Board, RCN Trade Union Committee and RCN Council will now consider the next steps, and members will be updated shortly on how they can have their say.

The UK Government is expected to announce what pay rise NHS staff in England will be awarded for 2022-23 imminently, with an announcement by the Welsh Government expected to follow.

The situation in Northern Ireland is complex as a government has not been formed following elections in May.


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