Welsh Government urged to invest in pay rise for Welsh NHS staff
More than a million NHS staff in England are set to receive pay rises of over 6% over three years. The UK Government is expected to announce the deal later, following agreement between unions and ministers – with the biggest pay rises directed to staff on the lowest pay bands.
Welsh Conservatives have called on the Welsh Labour Government to invest any additional consequential funding from Westminster on a similar pay rise in Wales.
Shadow Health Secretary, Angela Burns, says the pay rise is the “right thing to do” and wants a similar wage hike for Welsh NHS staff – with the largest rises focused on staff receiving the lowest wages.
Commenting on the deal, Mrs Burns said:
“This decision is hugely welcome and shows a Conservative Government which values the vital contribution made by our NHS staff.
“The Welsh Conservatives have been vocal in calling for the public sector pay cap to be lifted, and the decision to focus the biggest pay rises on the lowest paid staff is the right thing to do.
“We can only hope that the Welsh Labour Government will follow in Jeremy Hunt’s footsteps in giving Welsh NHS staff a much-needed and deserved pay rise.
“For the sake of employee retention and the delivery of world class public services, it is vital that staff are fairly remunerated.
“It’s time for Labour to call time on bumper pay deals for Welsh NHS managers, and invest any new money as a result of this deal in hard-working Welsh NHS staff on the frontline.”
