Nursing union votes to accept NHS 5.5% pay rise in Scotland

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has voted to accept a 5.5% pay rise from the Scottish government.

The union in Scotland said 61% of members voted to accept the deal that would see almost 170,000 NHS staff - including nurses, midwives, paramedics and porters - receive a pay rise backdated to April.

The Scottish Government said the pay offer would cost around £488m. Last week members of Unison and the Unite unions also voted to accept the deal.

However, RCN members in England have rejected an equivalent offer saying it was not enough.

The 5.5% offer would see newly-qualified Band 5 nurses earn around £1,600 more on £32,000, while experienced Band 8 advanced nurse practitioners would earn over £60,000.

The increase is expected to be applied to October salaries with the backdated element paid in November.

RCN Scotland Director, Colin Poolman said: “This increase is long overdue. We have been clear that we expect the Scottish government to be better prepared to enter negotiations in a timely fashion for 2025-26.

“There is still much to do to ensure the safety critical role of nursing is recognised and rewarded. Further reform of Agenda for Change is needed."

Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray previously said the package would ensure "Scotland's nurses and NHS staff have the best pay package in the UK".