Thank you for contacting me regarding nurses pay in Wales. Firstly, I would like to thank all Welsh nurses for their service in immensely difficult circumstances over the last three years. This is an important issue, and one that should be treated in a way that recognises their tremendous service and dedication to patients and their families all across the country.
Having been a devolved matter in Wales since 1999, we must recognise the role that the Welsh Government has had in the poor management of the Welsh NHS, and reflect on how their real-terms cut to funding has resulted in dire consequences for the Welsh NHS, affecting not just pay, but also working conditions and patient safety.
I am pleased that my colleague, the Shadow Minister for Health, Russell George MS, has a clear plan for the Welsh NHS including placing a cap on agency pay, and to use these savings on increasing pay for Welsh NHS nurses, as well as increasing the number of permanent, full-time nurses. This measure would help to ease the financial pressures that many nurses and their families are currently facing.
We have also laid out our clear support for the Welsh NHS through our NHS Covenant, which will help right the wrongs laid down by successive Labour administrations. Our proposals would increase NHS investment by at least an extra 2% each year.
Until then, the Welsh Conservatives will continue to put pressure on the Labour Government here in Wales until this urgent matter is resolved.
Again, thank you for contacting me about this important issue.