Everyone working in the NHS and adult social care in Scotland is to receive a £500 thank you payment in recognition of their “incredible, often heroic efforts”.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon made the announcement in her speech to the SNP’s virtual national conference.

She promised that the payments, which will be pro rata for part-time workers, will be made before the end of the financial year in March, and will be separate from any pay deals negotiated.

“Now, of course, a payment like this can never ever come close to expressing our full admiration for those who have cared for us so heroically,” she told delegates.

“But to our health and care workers it is a demonstration of what we collectively owe you, and it is a heartfelt thank you for the sacrifices that you have made.”

A parliamentary answer states the payment will be given to ‘all staff working within our NHS, frontline primary care, adult social care sector, hospice and palliative care sector, and residential childcare settings’.

In a letter sent today, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman provided details on which staff working in social care would receive the payment.

It includes ‘all adult social care employees, personal assistants, social care staff working children’s residential services and social workers who have been employed since 17 March 2020’.

Temporary staff and university students will also be covered, the letter adds.

As income tax is reserved to Westminster, Ms Sturgeon appealed to the Prime Minister to allow the payment to be made tax-free:

“We don’t have the power to make this payment tax-free. But, Prime Minister, you do. So, I am asking you this. Please allow our health and care heroes to keep every penny of Scotland’s thank you to them. Do not take any of it away in tax.”

Earlier the SNP leader had promised that an independent Scotland would seek to rejoin the EU, saying that Britain’s departure in a month’s time creates a serious threat to health and social care in Scotland:

“Health policy may be devolved but the NHS still faces Westminster threats.

“Trade deals could result in a big increase in the price our health service pays for drugs, reducing funds for patient care. And the end of freedom of movement with the EU is already making it so much harder to attract the NHS and social care staff that we need,” she said.

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