Unite's health membership voted yes by 93% to accept the 5.5% offer, which the union described as ‘best negotiable' in the current financial circumstances.

Nurses and healthcare staff across Scotland are set to receive the 5.5% increase offered by the Scottish government which will be backdated to 1 April 2024. The overall package is estimated to be worth £448m in 2024-25.

The pay package will mean that the minimum uplift for the lowest paid workers (grade 1) is £1,278, and a new hourly rate of £12.71.

James O'Connell, Unite lead negotiator for the health sector, said: "Unite has secured an inflation beating pay increase for our NHS Scotland membership.

"We believe the offer was the best negotiable under the present public financial circumstances, and it will provide a significant boost to take-home pay."