NDM7655 Plaid Cymru Debate - NHS Pay Review

NDM7655 Siân Gwenllian (Arfon)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Condemns the UK Government’s recommendation to the NHS Pay Review Body for a wholly inadequate 1 per cent pay rise to nurses and other NHS staff which would amount to a real terms cut in their wages.

2. Calls on the Welsh Government to make further representations to the NHS Pay Review Body supporting the specific calls of the trade unions and other bodies representing health and social care staff in Wales for a fair and well deserved pay rise to reflect the sacrifices made during the pandemic.

3. Calls on the next Welsh Government to deliver a reformed pay and retention settlement for health and social care staff, including a guaranteed minimum of £10 an hour for care workers to end the current disparity between health and care.

The following amendments have been tabled:

Amendment 1 Mark Isherwood (North Wales)

Delete point 1 and replace with:

Recognises that NHS pay is devolved and welcomes the additional £2.1 billion increase in the Welsh Government budget for 2021-2022.

Amendment 2 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

Delete all after point 1 and replace with:

Acknowledges that the Welsh Government has noted the different position from the NHS trade union on what they believe is a fair and affordable pay uplift and has made further representations to the NHS Pay Review Body to confirm that no arbitrary cap has been set.

Believes that the pay review bodies should report independently on a pay that is both fair and affordable.

Recognises that NHS Wales pays the Real Living Wage, that the Welsh Government supports the Real Living Wage as the minimum rate of pay for social care workers and has established the Social Care Fair Work Forum which is looking at how to improve terms and conditions in the sector.

Acknowledges that one of the key themes of “A Healthier Wales: Our Workforce Strategy for Health and Social Care” focusses on fair rewards and recognition for staff.

A Healthier Wales: Our Workforce Strategy for Health and Social Care

[If Amendment 2 is agreed, Amendment 3 will be de-selected]

Amendment 3 Mark Isherwood (North Wales)

In point 3, delete all after 'next Welsh Government' and insert:

'to:

a) implement the recommendations of the pay review body;

b) introduce a reformed pay and retention settlement for health and social care staff; and

c) create a substantial mental health support package for health and social care staff suffering from the impact of the pandemic.