What is the SNP position on the NHS pay cap?

The Scottish Government has supported public sector workers through a difficult time of pay restraint with additional measures to tackle low pay. All NHS staff in Scotland have been paid at least the real Living Wage since 2011 and nurses, across all bands, are paid better in Scotland than anywhere else in the UK.

The pay cap, while never desirable, was necessary to protect jobs and services. But with inflation on the rise, it is not sustainable. Our nurses, teachers, police officers and fire fighters deserve a fairer deal for the future. Indeed, the need to recruit the staff that our public services depend on also demands a new approach.

The Finance Secretary lifted the cap on public sector wage increases in the 2018-19 Draft Budget. Public servants earning less than £30,000 will receive a 3 per cent increase, those earning above £30,000 will receive a 2 per cent increase and we will cap increases for those earning more than £80,000.

The Finance Secretary has also called on the UK government to follow the Scottish Government’s lead and lift the cap, including for public sector workers employed by the UK government in Scotland.