“Labour Ministers must honour original publicly announced pay rise” – Rhun ap Iorwerth MS

Rhun ap Iorwerth has accused the Labour government of conducting “a botched pay review” after they wrongly announced the Welsh NHS’s lowest paid will get a pay rise.

Health Minister Eluned Morgan said last week the starting pay for Welsh health workers would rise to £10.18 an hour however today she corrected that to £9.50 an hour – equivalent to the real living wage – and offered “sincere apologies for any confusion”.

Health Spokesperson Rhun ap Iorwerth MS said the news would be a “real blow” to the lowest paid workers in the NHS.

Mr ap Iorwerth called on Labour Ministers to “urgently address the confusion” and to honour the original, publicly announced pay rise as a first step in truly valuing the NHS workforce.

Health Spokesperson Rhun ap Iorwerth MS said,

“The news that the Labour Welsh Government gave with one hand and took away with the other in July is a real blow to the lowest paid workers in the NHS. During the pandemic these workers have gone above and beyond the call of duty by providing exemplary care and in some instances doing so without adequate personal protective equipment.

“Ministers must urgently address the confusion surrounding this botched pay review and honour the original, publicly announced pay rise as a first step in truly valuing the NHS workforce.”