Scottish government makes pay offer to healthcare unions

The Scottish government has made a final offer of a 5.5 per cent pay increase for 2024/25 (consolidated), for Agenda for Change healthcare staff. 

Pay setting for NHS Scotland is through direct negotiations between health unions and the government. This is a different approach to England, Wales and Northern Ireland which are still part of the pay review body process.   

All health unions have agreed to consult with their members on the above-inflation offer, which follows on from the 5.5 per cent award in England. The CSP will consult with Scottish members on whether to accept or reject the pay offer for 2024/25.  

The CSP’s member-led pay sub-group recommends members vote to accept the pay offer on the following basis:

• The offer is above all current measures of inflation and therefore is a good step in the right direction.

• The offer is an improvement on the Scottish government initial position and is considered the best that can be achieved through negotiation. It also matches the award in England for this year, which means overall Scottish pay points remain higher.

Claire Ronald, senior negotiating officer for Scotland, said: 'Getting an above-inflation offer means we can put this to members, and it is a good step in the right direction.

We will now be consulting with members during the next few weeks to gather views on the offer. 

All health unions are aiming to work to roughly the same timetable for consultation. When the CSP's consultation closes, we will meet with the other health unions to consider all of the outcomes and inform the government. 

If the offer is accepted the new pay rates are hoped to be put in place from October with backdated pay due at a later stage.