SCOTLAND’S councils have been given 24 hours to produce a pay deal or face strikes across the country.

The Star understands that with just hours until the expiry of the Wednesday 5pm deadline previously set by unions for an improved pay offer, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) joined forces with SNP local government minister Shona Robison to plead for more time.

Cosla have been criticised by unions over the six-month dispute for not pressing the SNP-Green Scottish government for more cash to avoid real-terms pay cuts for council workers.

However, the Star understands that the request for more time —coming from both the minister and Cosla — has raised hopes in union circles that new money may soon be put on the table.

Unite agreed to a deadline at 5pm today, while Unison offered midday, but sources in both unions have indicated that without “substantial” change, thousands of education workers will go ahead with strikes next week.

A Cosla spokesperson said: “There was a constructive meeting of council leaders first thing yesterday morning, where they were all in agreement about the next steps in seeking to resolve this pay dispute.”