9. Plaid Cymru Debate: NHS Pay Review

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:57 pm on 17 March 2021.

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Photo of Rhun ap Iorwerth Rhun ap Iorwerth Plaid Cymru 4:57, 17 March 2021

(Translated)

Thank you very much, Llywydd. I thank the Minister for his response to this debate and everyone who's participated—to Dai and Helen for reinforcing what's contained within this motion before us today. I'd like to thank Members of all parties and of the Government who have declared, as a matter of principle, how important it is that we reward our staff properly and pay them properly within health and care. But it's what we do that's ultimately important, rather than what we say. I welcome the words of the Conservative spokesperson, again, supporting fair wages. But I also agree with Dawn Bowden on the disgraceful track record of the Conservatives in Westminster in terms of health and care staff pay and conditions, and offering that derisory 1 per cent for staff in England is the background for the motion that we're discussing this afternoon.

Whilst referring to comments by Angela Burns, you also managed to turn this into an issue of constitution and independence, stating that we were seeking independence for Wales but weren't willing to take fiscal responsibility. If I could correct you and say that we are literally asking for fiscal responsibility by insisting on independence for Wales, so that we can put health and care and all the other crucial public services in Wales on more robust foundations.

As we say, it's what we do that's important here, and of course an act such as providing a bonus for health and care staff is something that the Government can do as a one-off, and it certainly will be appreciated by staff that are tired across health and social care. But as the RCN said this afternoon: