The Scottish Government’s public sector pay rise has been dwarfed by a proposal from the UK Government, announced today, for NHS staff in England to get a pay rise of up to 29%.
As part of the budget this year, the SNP announced that they wanted to give NHS staff earning under £36,000 a pay rise of 3% next year. Those on higher wages were set to get a 2% rise.
This was going to be paid for using Barnett consequentials from the UK Government, as a result of the expected pay rise south of the border.
However the SNP’s offer to NHS staff has now been dwarfed by the UK Government’s offer, meaning the Scottish Government are set to get more money than they expected.
The Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt MP has today announced that half of all staff in England will receive a pay rise of between 9% and 29% over three years. The other half, will receive a 6.5% pay rise, including at least 3% next year.
It means that a nurse in England with one year's experience would see their basic pay rise by 21% over three years. In Scotland, however, the same nurse is only set to get a 3% pay rise next year.
Local MP John Lamont has challenged the SNP to play catch up with the UK Government’s offer and make sure that hard working staff in the Borders do not miss out on this pay rise.
John Lamont MP said: “This is a significant pay rise for NHS staff in England with a focus on rewarding those at the beginning of their careers and those on lower incomes.
“Given the level of criticism the SNP like to direct towards the English health service, they will be hugely embarrassed to have been outdone by the Health Secretary.
“The SNP must use the extra money coming their way as a result of this pay deal to make sure they up their offer to NHS staff and give them a fair pay rise.”