Scottish social care workers to get pay rise

The Scottish Government has announced all social care workers in Scotland are to receive a 3.3% pay rise, backdated to 1 April. 

The move, which has been agreed between the Scottish Government and councils, means staff will not need to wait for the pay to be backdated at a point later in the year following negotiations, as has happened in previous years.

The announcement comes as social care workers face daily challenges as the coronavirus pandemic spreads. 

Social care support workers providing direct adult support will have their pay increased to at least the Real Living Wage rate of £9.30 an hour for all hours worked, including sleep-overs and hours worked by personal assistants.

The Scottish Government said it will also provide funding to third sector and independent providers specifically to ensure staff receive sick pay if they are off work ill or because they are self-isolating.

‘Social care support workers providing direct adult support will have their pay increased to at least the Real Living Wage rate of £9.30 an hour for all hours worked, including sleep-overs and hours worked by personal assistants,’ said Scottish health secretary, Jeane Freeman.

‘The Scottish Government will also provide funding to third sector and independent providers specifically to ensure staff receive sick pay if they are off work ill or because they are self-isolating.’

The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities’ (COSLA) spokesman for health and social care, Cllr Stuart Currie, added: ‘Local government recognise and value the vital contribution of Scotland’s social care workforce and have made great efforts together to achieve an agreement that confirms the living wage as well as supporting providers where they are experiencing additional cost associated with COVID-19. 

‘Today’s announcement reflects the key worker status of social care support staff and confirms support for those off sick or self-isolating.’

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