Thank you very much for contacting me about Unite’s campaign to increase the 3% pay rise for all NHS workers in Wales.
As a general point, I do agree that NHS staff are playing an integral part of the national effort to combat coronavirus - and we owe them a great deal of gratitude for all that they do. The fight against coronavirus is a national effort, and we are committed to ensuring staff receive the additional support they need throughout it. I also believe that the passion, commitment, and specialist knowledge of our NHS staff is part of what makes our NHS so special.
As you outline, NHS pay in Wales is the responsibility of the Welsh Labour Government. I am pleased that the UK Conservative Government has not only provided £8.6 billion to Wales in the effort to fight coronavirus, on top of more than £2.1 billion for the 21/22 financial year but has announced it would also be investing an extra £1.9 billion into the Welsh NHS over the next three years.
I am aware that the independent NHS Pay Review Body has recently recommended a 3 per cent pay rise for all NHS staff in Wales. My colleagues and I in the Welsh Parliament are delighted to see NHS staff receive this in recognition of their extraordinary efforts during the most challenging period in the history of our national health service. However, Welsh Conservatives have been clear that it is not just pay which needs to be examined in the Welsh NHS – key conditions such as mental health support, retention, upskilling and tackling the mammoth staffing gaps in the NHS must be tackled urgently, so the NHS workforce is fully supported. I assure you that my colleagues and I in the Welsh Conservatives will continue to press the Welsh Labour Government on all of these important issues.
Thank you again for taking the time to write to me.
