Current status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 17 March 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how the £4 million of investment for the hospice sector, outlined in its Budget for 2025-26, will be used to bring hospice staff under the Agenda for Change terms and conditions, and what the proposed timeline is for fulfilling this commitment.
The Scottish Budget 2025-26 identified funding of £5 million to help support independent hospices deliver pay parity with Agenda for Change (AfC) levels for 2025-26. Officials are undertaking work to explore the mechanisms for providing this funding, while respecting local commissioning arrangements. Funding will be provided in financial year 2025-26. Officials continue to take forward positive discussions with the Chair of the Scottish Hospice Leadership Group.
This funding does not bring hospice staff under AfC terms and conditions and is only intended to provide pay parity with NHS levels. Independent hospices will have their own terms and conditions for the staff they employ.