NHS staff: all nurses, midwives, allied health professionals and paramedics are to receive a 9% pay rise over the next three years the Scottish Government has announced.

The pay rise, however, is linked to reforms in pay and conditions and is subject to agreement by the Trade unions.

Shona Robison , Health Secretary in the Scottish Government said:

“We were the first government in the UK to lift the pay cap, and today I can confirm we intend to deliver a pay rise of at least 9% to our hardworking NHS ‘Agenda for Change’ staff over the next three years.

“We’re doing all we can to recruit new talent and retain existing staff, ensuring NHS Scotland has the right skills and experience to meet future demand and rising expectations. Today’s announcement will help make our NHS an attractive employment option for many.

Those earning up to £80,000 will receive a minimum cumulative uplift of 9%, and those earning £80,000 and over will receive a flat rate increase of £1,600 a year.

Staff not at the top of their pay bands will also receive any incremental progression pay uplifts they are due.

The Royal College of Midwives has recommended their members to back the offer.

Emma Currer, the Royal College of Midwives Scotland Lead Negotiator, said:

“This is a good deal for our midwife and maternity support worker members. It will see them getting a real increase in their pay across all the pay bands after years of pay freezes and stagnation.

 “This is something the RCM and other unions have been fighting for. This is a good deal and one that we believe is the best that can be achieved in the current economic climate.

 “However, we also see this as the starting point for better pay for NHS staff, not the end point. We will be opening a consultation with our members on this very soon. I would encourage members to respond to this and it is a deal that I encourage our members to accept.”

James O’Connell, Unite regional officer said:

“After eight long years of pay austerity, this deal at least begins to recognise that the harsh pay regime imposed on hard working and dedicated NHS staff here in Scotland can no longer be sustained.

“But whether it goes far enough to make up for eight years of pay restraint that has cost our members around 20 % in lost wages since 2010, will be for our members to decide.

“While we welcome some aspects of this deal, we see this as the start, not the end of the journey for NHS staff in Scotland.

“Unite believes that this deal is the best that can be achieved through negotiation, and will make no recommendation to our members that they accept or reject the deal.

“Unite will begin consulting members on the final offer straight away, with a ballot of the union’s Scottish NHS members opening on the 9 July and closing on the 15 August.”

Doctors,  dentists and senior managers are not affected by the deal.