Responding to the Scottish government's pay offer for NHS nursing staff, RCN Executive Director of Legal and Member Relations, Jo Galbraith-Marten, said:

"Scotland members will decide if their offer is acceptable but these figures reveal a gap in where the Westminster government is at for England and what direct negotiations with unions can secure elsewhere. 

“A week past the deadline, there is still no award in sight for nursing staff working in England’s NHS, with ministers here choosing instead to rely on a failing pay review body process which lacks true independence.

“The government at Westminster needs to take responsibility and, as in Scotland, hold direct talks with unions instead. A significant pay rise, announced in the coming weeks, must be an urgent priority for a government which wants to turn the NHS around. Nursing staff will not accept more dither and delay.”

Ends

Notes to editors

RCN Scotland responds to Scottish Government’s NHS pay offer for 2025-26 and 2026-27

Last year, the UK government confirmed it had budgeted just 2.8% for pay rises this year for NHS nursing staff in England. This was described as 'deeply offensive' by the RCN.

A week on from the beginning of the new financial year, ministers are still yet to deliver a pay rise. Last week, the RCN told the health secretary Wes Streeting to 'get a grip' on nursing pay – Health secretary told to ‘get a grip’ as NHS pay award delayed