Thank you very much for contacting me about the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy’s campaign on pay rises for physiotherapists.
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. The UK Government will also be investing an extra £1.9 billion into the Welsh NHS over the next three years.
It is therefore up to the new Welsh Labour Government to decide where to spend this money, and my colleagues and I in the Welsh Conservatives would expect it to be spent directly on the Welsh NHS. For that reason, I would encourage the Welsh Labour Government to use its resources, including the additional allocations it has received from the UK Government. The Pay Review Body is due to set out its recommendations imminently, and we will support the decision it reaches. Once the Body has published its recommendations, Welsh Conservatives will also be monitoring the Welsh Government’s response closely.
Thank you again for taking the time to write to me.
