The NHS Workforce

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:31 pm on 3 November 2020.

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Photo of David Rees David Rees Labour 1:31, 3 November 2020

Thank you for that answer, First Minister. As we know, our nurses and our NHS staff have been on the front line dealing with this pandemic since the start of the year. Every Thursday, we used to go out and clap and say 'thank you' to them. Though that's now stopped, we still owe a huge debt to those who put themselves at risk every day when they go to work to look after our family members who are in their care. And it's critical that we continue to say 'thank you' by providing support now and in the future. And in saying 'thank you', we must ensure that they are both kept safe and not have any anxiety about supporting their own families. I hear the warm words of the Tories about supporting our staff here, and in Westminster, but their recent actions tell us a different story. For example, they've reintroduced full value added tax on personal protective equipment, taking the money away from the NHS and giving it back to the Treasury. They've not rewarded our NHS staff with the pay awards they deserve for everything they've done for us and will do for us. Will you and your Minister support the call from the NHS staff, and urge the Government, particularly the Chancellor, who seems to find money when Tory Ministers' seats are at risk, to stop talking and start acting in the interest of our fantastic NHS staff?