Questions Without Notice from the Party Leaders

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:51 pm on 10 January 2023.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Adam Price Adam Price Plaid Cymru 1:51, 10 January 2023

Diolch, Llywydd. On NHS pay, First Minister, we've estimated, based on figures that you've shared with us, that you could afford at least an additional 3 per cent extra pay award in this financial year. Now, I understand the health Minister has said that she does not recognise those figures, so can we assume that the pay award that you are intending to offer will be less than that figure? You said a month ago that there was no additional money available in this financial year, and now you've found it. You're now saying that there will be no additional money next year, so it can only be a one-off payment. But why can't you apply the same process that you have done to this year's budget to next year's budget? And even if that is not sufficient, do you accept that you do have tax-raising powers that could generate additional revenue? So, it's not right to say that your ability to turn a one-off payment into a recurrent pay rise is entirely determined by Westminster; it's a political choice.