NHS workers in Scotland are already “beyond breaking point,” the Unite union warned today, accusing the Scottish government of backsliding on commitments to cut the working week.

An earlier pay deal between health unions and SNP ministers included an agreement to cut the working week in the health service from 37.5 hours to 36 without financial detriment. 

But from April, the working week is set to shrink by just 30 minutes, prompting fury among hard-pressed NHS staff.