NHS workers in Wales to get 3% pay rise

All NHS staff in Wales will be offered a 3% pay rise by the Welsh government.

The increase will be backdated to April 2021, and follows a recommendation by NHS pay bodies.

Welsh Health Minister Eluned Morgan said it "recognises the dedication and commitment of hardworking NHS staff".

But the decision - which will apply to nurses, doctors, dentists and other workers - was dubbed "bitterly disappointing" by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) union.

It follows a similar announcement in England of a 3% pay rise for nurses and other NHS workers.

The decision in Wales comes after recommendations from the NHS Pay Review Body and the Doctor and Dentist Review body.

It applies to employed nurses, cleaners and porters, consultants, doctors in training, salaried GPs and dentists, among others.

British Medical Association Wales said it was "extremely disappointed" there had not been a more generous offer for staff who had gone "above and beyond" during the pandemic.

Anita Charlesworth of The Health Foundation called it a "treading water pay offer", adding the pay system needed to "both prevent NHS staff from leaving and encouraging highly-skilled new people to join".

Ms Morgan thanked staff for their "extraordinary efforts over the course of this pandemic".

"Many staff have worked extremely long hours under enormous pressure," she said.

"This pay rise recognises the dedication and commitment of hardworking NHS staff and the enormous contribution they have made. It is also a recognition of how valued they are by Welsh communities."

She said it means that the lowest paid staff would also receive more the living wage recommendation of £9.50 an hour.

The Welsh Conservatives said they were "delighted" at the pay award, while Plaid Cymru said staff might feel "let down", considering the 4% offer in Scotland.

But Helen Whyley, RCN Wales' director, said: "The 3% award is a long way off the 12.5% claim of the Royal College of Nursing, which would bring nurses in line with other professions and redress the fact that their wages have reduced over the last 10 years.

"It also does not recognise the commitment of nursing staff throughout the pandemic."

It follows a row earlier in the year where the UK government suggested it would only support a 1% pay rise for NHS workers in England.

Welsh Labour had criticised the proposed cap during the recent Senedd election campaign, but did not state what it would offer instead, with ministers saying they would wait for the pay bodies' recommendations.

Plaid Cymru's deputy leader, Sian Gwenllian, said: "Our health service is already under pressure, under-resourced and under-staffed, and the least we can do is ensure our workers do not remain under-paid."

Welsh Conservative shadow health minister, Russell George, said the pay award was "recognition of their extraordinary efforts during the most challenging period in the history of our treasured national health service".

The Welsh NHS' funding comes mostly from the UK government, and Welsh officials said the Treasury had not said whether any additional cash would be provided for the pay deal.

It is in addition to an earlier one-off payment of £735 last March.