trade union

This comes after months of negotiations between the country’s major parties, farmers, the industry, trade unions and environmental groups.

Council body Cosla and trade unions previously withdrew support, while health boards and care organisations also expressed concerns.

The pharmacies' body, which isn’t a trade union, says 700 pharmacies have shut in England in the last two years alone - the equivalent of seven a week - because of workloads and budget cuts.

It adds that trade unions have already indicated that would not be an acceptable award.

Nesbitt is due to meet health trade unions to discuss options and the best way of moving forward.