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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Scots nurses to get full pay rise | Scots nurses to get full pay rise |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Nurses in Scotland are to be given their pay rise in full on 1 April, rather than the staged increase recommended by Chancellor Gordon Brown. | Nurses in Scotland are to be given their pay rise in full on 1 April, rather than the staged increase recommended by Chancellor Gordon Brown. |
| He announced last week that nurses would get a pay award of 1.5% from April and a further 1% from November. | He announced last week that nurses would get a pay award of 1.5% from April and a further 1% from November. |
| Scottish Health Minister Andy Kerr said the NHS finances are on a firm footing in Scotland and the nurses deserved their full 2.5% settlement now. | Scottish Health Minister Andy Kerr said the NHS finances are on a firm footing in Scotland and the nurses deserved their full 2.5% settlement now. |
| Health care union Unison said that it was delighted with the decision. | Health care union Unison said that it was delighted with the decision. |
| Scotland's 67,000 nurses and thousands of other health professionals will get their pay increase next month. | |
| Glyn Hawker, Unison's Scottish organiser for health, said: "We are delighted that the strong lobbying by Unison has borne fruit. | Glyn Hawker, Unison's Scottish organiser for health, said: "We are delighted that the strong lobbying by Unison has borne fruit. |
| "The minister has listened to health workers' concerns. This reflects the more effective and co-operative nature of the NHS in Scotland." | "The minister has listened to health workers' concerns. This reflects the more effective and co-operative nature of the NHS in Scotland." |
| Conference call | Conference call |
| About 300 nurses had been due to leave a conference at Dynamic Earth and stage a rally at Holyrood protesting over what they claimed was a pay cut in real terms. | About 300 nurses had been due to leave a conference at Dynamic Earth and stage a rally at Holyrood protesting over what they claimed was a pay cut in real terms. |
| The Royal College of Nursing in Scotland said nurses had felt angry, frustrated and let down by last week's UK Government announcement on pay. | The Royal College of Nursing in Scotland said nurses had felt angry, frustrated and let down by last week's UK Government announcement on pay. |
| Responding to the minister's announcement, Scottish National Party health spokeswoman Shona Robison said: "The SNP welcome this u-turn as it is the right decision. | Responding to the minister's announcement, Scottish National Party health spokeswoman Shona Robison said: "The SNP welcome this u-turn as it is the right decision. |
| Scotland's executive is setting an example that the government in Westminster should follow as a matter of urgency Dr Peter CarterRCN | Scotland's executive is setting an example that the government in Westminster should follow as a matter of urgency Dr Peter CarterRCN |
| "At a time when we expect more and more from our nurses it is an insult that such a derisory offer was made by Labour in London - particularly when the pay review body recommended a higher figure and the government has found money for others." | "At a time when we expect more and more from our nurses it is an insult that such a derisory offer was made by Labour in London - particularly when the pay review body recommended a higher figure and the government has found money for others." |
| Tory health spokeswoman Dr Nanette Milne said: "This is very good news, and I am delighted that, for once, Andy Kerr has listened to the concerns of health workers." | Tory health spokeswoman Dr Nanette Milne said: "This is very good news, and I am delighted that, for once, Andy Kerr has listened to the concerns of health workers." |
| Dr Peter Terry, chairman of the British Medical Association in Scotland, said: "The minister should be congratulated for taking this step as it reflects better the situation in NHS Scotland and hopefully this will set a precedent for the future." | Dr Peter Terry, chairman of the British Medical Association in Scotland, said: "The minister should be congratulated for taking this step as it reflects better the situation in NHS Scotland and hopefully this will set a precedent for the future." |
| Call for equal treatment | Call for equal treatment |
| Unions south of the border called on the government to follow the lead of the Scottish Executive. | Unions south of the border called on the government to follow the lead of the Scottish Executive. |
| Karen Jennings, head of health at Unison, said Scotland had only decided to give nurses their due. | Karen Jennings, head of health at Unison, said Scotland had only decided to give nurses their due. |
| She said: "This decision should shame MPs in Westminster into taking action over the shabby way our nurses and health workers are being treated by the government in this pay round. | She said: "This decision should shame MPs in Westminster into taking action over the shabby way our nurses and health workers are being treated by the government in this pay round. |
| The RCN said it did not want to see separate pay deals | The RCN said it did not want to see separate pay deals |
| "It is untenable to leave nurses in England and Wales out in the cold. They deserve fair and equal treatment." | "It is untenable to leave nurses in England and Wales out in the cold. They deserve fair and equal treatment." |
| Dr Peter Carter, RCN general secretary, said: "By following the recommendations of the Independent Pay Review Body, Scotland's executive is also setting an example that the government in Westminster should follow as a matter of urgency." | Dr Peter Carter, RCN general secretary, said: "By following the recommendations of the Independent Pay Review Body, Scotland's executive is also setting an example that the government in Westminster should follow as a matter of urgency." |
| He said the RCN did not want to see separate pay deals for the different countries of the UK. | He said the RCN did not want to see separate pay deals for the different countries of the UK. |
| However, a Department of Health spokesperson said: "Decisions on pay for health professionals working in Scotland are for the Scottish Executive, reflecting their own regional issues. | However, a Department of Health spokesperson said: "Decisions on pay for health professionals working in Scotland are for the Scottish Executive, reflecting their own regional issues. |
| "The government has already announced the pay award for health professionals in England and Wales - a fair award reflecting the balance between the right level of pay and the need to be vigilant against the threats of inflation." | "The government has already announced the pay award for health professionals in England and Wales - a fair award reflecting the balance between the right level of pay and the need to be vigilant against the threats of inflation." |