Ensure Scotland continues to have the best paid NHS staff in the UK

Our verdict

Background

In 2018, the previous Scottish Government agreed a pay deal called “Agenda for Change”, which made Scottish NHS staff better paid, on average, than those in the rest of the UK over a three year period. This was extended for 2021/2022 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a 16 month deal (backdated to December 2020) for a 4% pay rise agreed in May 2021 in fulfilment of a key SNP manifesto pledge.

Status

This promise is in progress. The pay deal agreed in May 2021 contained substantially larger increases than those made in other parts of the UK.  However, to be considered fulfilled, the Scottish Government must continue to offer Scottish NHS staff better pay for the duration of the 2021-2026 session of parliament.

“Pay rise for NHS workers” (Scottish Government, 14th May 2021)