Politics
SNP’s bumper 4% pay rise for NHS dwarfs Boris’ increase in England just hours before Holyrood election campaign starts
NATS ministers offered NHS workers a bumper pay rise of at least four per cent – dwarfing the recent increase for health workers in England.
The details emerged just hours before the Holyrood election campaign kicked off.
The planned boost for 154,000 staff, including nurses and paramedics, was announced weeks after Boris Johnson limited pay rises down south to one per cent.
And Nicola Sturgeon aimed a dig at the UK Government as she tweeted: “Our NHS staff deserve more than applause and one per cent is not enough.”
She said her government’s deal would guarantee at least £1,000 extra for those earning less than £25,000 with a 5.4 per cent hike for staff on the lowest pay band.
The First Minister added the increases would be backdated to December.
NHS Scotland staff including nurses set to be offered pay rise of at least 4%
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “This has been an exceptionally challenging year for our NHS.
“I am pleased the Scottish Government is able to recognise the service and dedication of our healthcare staff.”
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Union bosses are to consult their members, but Sara Gorton, of Unison, said: “The UK Government should be shamed into following the Scottish example.”
The Scottish Government says the deal, if accepted, will be the “most generous National Health Service pay uplift anywhere in the UK”.
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