UNIONS have backed the Scottish Government's proposed three-year pay deal for NHS workers.

Nurses, midwives and paramedics are to be offered a minimum 9 per cent pay rise over the period.

The Scottish Government says its proposals will benefit 147,000 staff under the health services' agenda for change pay system.

Workers earning under £80,000 will receive a rise of at least 9 per cent over the period, while those earning more will get a flat rate increase of £1600 each year.

Unions have welcomed the deal but raised questions over the future role of the UK NHS pay review body.

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Scotland's biggest health union Unison urged the Scottish Government to break with the body and negotiate directly with NHS unions over pay and conditions.

Thomas Waterson, chairman of the Unison health committee, said: "I am pleased to announce that 94 per cent of Unison members have voted to accept a pay deal which will put an additional £400 million into NHS workers pay packets in Scotland.

"This deal delivers real increases of between 3 per cent and 27 per cent for NHS workers in Scotland.

"Eighteen months ago some people said that we couldn't negotiate a separate pay deal for NHS workers in Scotland.

"Then they said that we couldn't negotiate a better deal for Scotland.

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"The Scottish Government should commit now to develop negotiating structures in Scotland and allow us to self determine on pay."

The union consulted almost 60,000 NHS workers in Scotland in a four week ballot.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: "Scotland's NHS is founded on the hard work and dedication of its staff.

"This agreement is a recognition of that hard work."