Part of 4. Topical Questions – in the Senedd at 3:32 pm on 1 March 2023.
Thank you very much. I think it’s very important that we do recognise that even though this is a situation where the unions collectively have agreed to accept the offer, we do understand that the offer has only been accepted by one vote, and we also understand that there are a lot of people within the unions who are still very angry about the situation. That’s why, during the coming weeks, we will be renegotiating with the unions about how we will undertake the implementation of this money, which has now been agreed. And what I can tell you is that all members of the unions are very happy to continue with those discussions, and that’s what we’ll be doing in the coming days.
Just in terms of what happens next—are we going to raise income tax in the higher bands? No. We’ve explained clearly that, if we raise 1p in the £1 to those paid more than £150,000 a year, we would raise £3 million. If we raise 1p in the £1 to those who pay the higher rate, we will raise £33 million. That’s not enough money to even cover 1 per cent of what’s needed, so we won’t be going down that path. What we do understand is that the unions have the right to continue with their strikes—that is, that individual unions can make decisions, but we do hope, of course, that, in the negotiations, we will continue to ensure that there is a glimmer of hope, for us to see whether we can do anything further to see these strikes called off. Obviously, we’re in a situation where the dispute is ongoing, and that's why we will continue to engage in discussions.
In terms of the non-pay elements, nothing additional has been put on the table, but, evidently, we will be having discussions over the coming days on the implementation that's been agreed.
Regarding the independent pay review board, we've given evidence to that. We haven't presented an amount that would be affordable, and we did underline the fact that people have been suffering in the wake of inflation, and we've emphasised that the cost-of-living crisis is impacting on people. But, of course, it's also important that we do emphasise that next year's budget is very tight when it comes to health.