Frequently asked questions: Scotland NHS pay increase 2024-25

NHS staff on Agenda for change terms and conditions will receive a consolidated 5.5% increase with effect from 1 April 2024.

We would expect the 5.5% increase to be applied to salaries from October 2024. The increase is backdated to 1 April 2024 and the backdated element of the increase should be paid in November. We are awaiting confirmation of implementation dates from the Scottish government.

The increase is for all staff working for NHS Scotland on Agenda for Change terms and conditions.

This increase applies to staff employed by NHS Scotland on Agenda for Change terms and conditions, this includes those working on staff bank contracts. 

Yes, you are entitled to back pay up to the time you left employment. You should speak to your payroll department. If you have retired this may impact your pension and a mechanism will be put in place to inform SPPA.

Yes, all staff employed by NHS Scotland on Agenda for Change terms and conditions will receive the pay increase. This means that if you are on full pay or half pay during your maternity leave, the amount you receive will increase proportionally in line with the pay offer. However, this has no effect on the Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP). If you are in a period of maternity leave in which you are only eligible to receive SMP, these payments will not increase.

Your pay is determined by your employer and not by the Scottish government. The Scottish government’s pay offer relates to staff working for NHS Scotland on Agenda for Change terms and conditions. However, many independent health and social care employers use NHS pay as a benchmark in setting pay. Increases in NHS pay often lead to increases in pay in other parts of the health and care sector. 

The Scottish government must invest in nursing, not just in the NHS, but all services and settings where nursing care is delivered. The RCN has always called for pay parity between the NHS and every other health and social care setting. We continue to support members employed in independent health and social care settings to seek appropriate recognition in their pay and working conditions in respect of the complex, expert care they deliver.

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We have raised this with the Scottish government as we are aware that the payment of a lump sum for the backdated element could have an impact on members who are in receipt of some means tested benefits. The Scottish government and employers have agreed to set up a system so members can opt to have their back pay paid in instalments - a downloadable version of the application form can be accessed on the Scottish Terms and Conditions Committee (STAC) website.

RCN members in England have voted to reject the 2024-25 pay award from the UK government. A record 145,000 eligible members cast a vote with two-thirds (64%) of them saying they didn’t accept the 5.5% award. RCN Council will consider the result of the consultation and the next steps. Nursing staff in England will still receive the award. 

The Welsh government announced it has accepted the Pay Review Body recommendations in full, which includes a 5.5% pay award for staff on NHS (Agenda for Change) terms and conditions in Wales. RCN members in Wales will be asked if the award is acceptable in a consultation opening on Wednesday 25 September.

The RCN expects the 5.5% Agenda for Change pay award announced in England will be implemented in full in Northern Ireland. We await confirmation from the Northern Ireland Department of Health as clarity is required regarding the funding of the award in Northern Ireland.

We believe that general practice nursing staff should have, as a minimum, equal terms and conditions to colleagues employed in the NHS.  

The majority of nursing staff working in general practice in Scotland are employed by their practice and therefore their pay is within the remit of the GP contract. Negotiations around the GP contract funding uplift for 2024-25 are taking place between the Scottish government and the British Medical Association. The RCN has made clear that we expect the uplift for nursing salaries within general practice to be in line with Agenda for Change.

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