NHS Scotland workers have accepted a two-year pay offer.
The employees, who are members of trade union Unite, work in estates, the ambulance service, medical equipment management, scientists, porters and theatre roles.
The pay offer was 4.25% for 2025/26 and 3.75% for 2026/27. The deal has an inflation guarantee, meaning pay increases will be at least 1% above the consumer prices index rate. The overall package is estimated to be worth £701 million in 2024-25.
In addition, the trade unions, NHS Scotland and the Scottish government have agreed to work towards reducing the full-time working week by an hour and a half to 36 hours, in line with a commitment made in the 2023-24 pay settlement.
The cabinet secretary, Chris Wormald, has stated that the incremental 60 minutes will take effect as a full hour from April 2026, rather than two 30-minute reductions from 1 April 2025 and April 2026.
Neil Grey, health secretary, said: “This is a strong two-year pay offer that has been agreed following constructive engagement with trade union representatives. It is guaranteed to remain above inflation, which gives added reassurance to staff, and will ensure Scotland’s nurses, midwives and NHS staff have the best pay in the UK. I want to express my thanks to Scotland’s hardworking healthcare staff for their continued hard work and commitment.”
Sharon Graham, general secretary at Unite, added: “Unite members across NHS Scotland have accepted the pay offer over two years on the basis it is the best negotiable deal. It’s a pay deal which ultimately helps us build better jobs, pay and conditions for workers across the NHS.”
