Coronavirus - how is it/has it affected you?

backwoodsman said:
Simples. Devolution. Its no longer a UK-wide central service. NHS Scotland is paid for by the Scottish government. Although the staff deserve it, the interesting question is how the heck are they going to afford it.
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Well - without going political - it 'only' has to be funded for 150,000. Plus - and probably more importantly - the Scottish government has clearly decided that it is going to handle discontent from others working in the public sector and their clamour for the same - that discontent and clamour that the Westminster government is unwilling to take on. There are other more political reasons that can be cited - but these are out of bounds.
 
backwoodsman said:
Simples. Devolution. Its no longer a UK-wide central service. NHS Scotland is paid for by the Scottish government. Although the staff deserve it, the interesting question is how the heck are they going to afford it.
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They do "only" have 170k employees or thereabouts...
Add a million to that number and you can see why its harder to give that sort of rise to the rest of the NHS - not that they don't deserve it, it's just a very big number.
 
Not saying the staff shouldn't get it and not saying that the Scottish government cant find it. Just that 4% on anyone's budget is a fair hike and wont be easy to find, and probably means another budget takes a hit. More power to their elbow if they can find it.
 
backwoodsman said:
Not saying the staff shouldn't get it and not saying that the Scottish government cant find it. Just that 4% on anyone's budget is a fair hike and wont be easy to find, and probably means another budget takes a hit. More power to their elbow if they can find it.
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Cost will be added to the deficit.
 
funkycoldmedina said:
Do you know that for definite or is it one of your sly political points?
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Stop trying to make an issue: it was not a political point, neither was it sly.

Scotland has run and they are forecasting a deficit which is a fact. This award was not in their forecast so is bound to increase debt. QED
 
It is a great pay reward for NHS, but it will only lead to other issues. What about Police, Firemen, teachers and countless other public key workers. I can see strike ballots in their future.
 
Well sadly that's us just off the third funeral we've had in the last 6 weeks. Blessing is that by the grace of technology we've been able to be present in a disconnected, but at least spiritually connected, way. Sad times for us and many and my thoughts go out to all who have not been able to be with their loved ones at the end and in their parting from us.
 
happyhacker said:
It is a great pay reward for NHS, but it will only lead to other issues. What about Police, Firemen, teachers and countless other public key workers. I can see strike ballots in their future.
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Depends...upon whether of not others can accept that it is the nurses who - in these exceptional times - have been the ones who have made the greatest personal sacrifices - often above and beyond their reasonable call of duty - and that that sacrifice made is worthy of recognition.

But it is clearly a calculation that the Scottish Government have made - one that suggests that they are not afraid of the challenge from other public sector bodies that will most likely come about - and that there is sufficient support across the country for the award to mitigate the risks associated with 'whataboutme' claims.
 
GB72 said:
Jab done, just doing 15 minute wait after. Did not even feel the needle. Such a pleasant experience, could almost describe the atmosphere in the small queue as party like.
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I had my second jab yesterday evening, same as you not a scratch when the needle went in - flippin sore today!
 
happyhacker said:
It is a great pay reward for NHS, but it will only lead to other issues. What about Police, Firemen, teachers and countless other public key workers. I can see strike ballots in their future.
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Starting salaries for qualified teachers, nurses and police officers are similar. With experience, but without promotion, the nurse's max salary is several thousand a year less. They're generally considered similar public service roles and there really ought to be parity for the nurses.
 
happyhacker said:
It is a great pay reward for NHS, but it will only lead to other issues. What about Police, Firemen, teachers and countless other public key workers. I can see strike ballots in their future.
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Alas, the police cannot strike. In terms of industrial muscle they have all the clout of a 10 year old black Labrador, lying in front of a roaring log fire with its tongue lolling out, rolling onto its back to have its tummy tickled. So no clout at all.

I do not disagree that the NHS deserves some sort of reward, but the country simply cannot afford an inflation busting pensionable pay rise. We’re skint.

A one off bonus payment perhaps? Although even that has to be limited.
 
SwingsitlikeHogan said:
Well - without going political - it 'only' has to be funded for 150,000. Plus - and probably more importantly - the Scottish government has clearly decided that it is going to handle discontent from others working in the public sector and their clamour for the same - that discontent and clamour that the Westminster government is unwilling to take on. There are other more political reasons that can be cited - but these are out of bounds.
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But it still has to be paid for and as there will only be X amount of money available to the devolved powers Y will have to dip out.
 
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