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NHS staff in Scotland to receive new pay deal in recognition of their efforts during pandemic

First minister Nicola Sturgeon makes pay announcement during Scottish Trade Union Congress speech

First minister Nicola Sturgeon makes pay announcement during Scottish Trade Union Congress speech, while RCN urges government to agree to a 12.5% increase

NHS workers and Unison members from Lothian Health Branch and Scottish Healthcare take part in a rally outside the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, calling for the three-year NHS pay deal to be renegotiated
NHS workers and Unison members from Lothian Health Branch and Scottish Healthcare take part in a rally outside the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh.
Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire/PA Images

Work is underway for NHS workers in Scotland to receive a new pay deal in light of their response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon made the announcement during a speech at the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) held virtually on 17 November.

Scottish Government considering creation of a new national care service

She said: ‘We [the government] are working with trade unions to agree a pay deal for NHS workers that recognises their incredible efforts during this crisis.

First minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon
Nicola Sturgeon Picture: PA

‘And we are also listening to the views of care staff as we consider the creation of a new national care service.’

Her comments come after it was revealed in October that talks for a new pay deal for NHS staff in Scotland had broken down between unions and the government.

In Scotland a band 5 nurse’s salary starts at £25,100 as noted in the NHS pay 2019/2020 figures.

Clarifying the comments, the health secretary Jeane Freeman said the Scottish Government, trade unions and NHS employers are in the process of agreeing a timetable for 2021-22 pay negotiations.

Ms Freeman said: ‘I have asked all parties to work together to secure a pay deal as quickly as possible and have personally had constructive discussions with NHS staff and the employee side of our Agenda for Change partnerships.’

RCN says that pay deal should also recognise the effects of years of pay restraint

Commenting on the first minister's message to the STUC, RCN Scotland’s director Theresa Fyffe said: ‘While we acknowledge the first minister’s commitment to agreeing a new pay deal for NHS workers that will recognise our members “incredible efforts” during the pandemic, what’s needed is a pay deal which recognises the impact of the years of pay restraint and truly values the skills and clinical expertise of nursing staff.

‘This is why the RCN is calling for a 12.5% pay increase.

‘We need to ensure that nursing is attractive, well-paid and meaningfully supported, otherwise, we risk many of our members leaving the profession – at a time when the nation needs them more than ever.’

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