THE Scottish government has tabled an above-inflation pay offer for more than 180,000 NHS workers across the country. 

Unions across the service will now consult members on the deal worth 3.75 per cent this year and 4.25 per cent the next, amounting to 8.16 per cent over the period.

An additional inflation-proofing guarantee ensuring the uplift would be at least 1 per cent above the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rate has also been offered.

Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray said, if accepted, the £191 million deal would “ensure nurses, midwives and NHS staff have the best pay in the UK.”

“I want to express my thanks again to Scotland’s hard-working healthcare staff,” he said. “The unions will now consult their members and I hope this offer will be accepted.”

Unison general secretary Christina McAnea said: “Talks with Scottish ministers have delivered a serious wage offer for NHS staff.

“Their English colleagues, and health workers in Wales and Northern Ireland, will understandably be feeling more than a little envious.

“Scottish health workers already earn more each hour. Now they could get this year’s wage rise before everyone else too. 

“Meanwhile across the rest of the UK, the wait goes on. NHS staff were due a wage boost a week ago, but since then they’ve not heard a peep from ministers.

“The backlogs, waits and delays won’t be fixed until pay is sorted.

“Ministers should take a leaf out of the Scottish government’s book and get moving with this year’s NHS pay rise.”

Unison Scotland’s co-lead for health Matt Mclaughlin said: “Members always have the final say on their pay so the union will put it to them in a consultative ballot as soon as that can be arranged.”