Welsh NHS staff given 3% pay rise, backdated to April 2021
Health minister Eluned Morgan says she accepts the recommendations of a review "in full"
Last updated 21st Jul 2021
NHS staff in Wales have been awarded a 3% pay rise, after an independent review.
Health Minister Eluned Morgan accepted the recommendations of the NHS Pay Review Body and the Doctors and Dentist Review Body.
It applies to staff on Agenda for Change terms and conditions, which includes employed nurses, cleaners, porters and health support workers, as well as consultants, doctors in training, pre-2021 speciality and associate specialist (SAS) doctor contracts, salaried GPs and dentists.
The increase, which is identical to an announcement for England, is being back-dated to April 2021.
Health Minister Eluned Morgan said: "Once again, I want to thank our Welsh NHS staff for their extraordinary efforts over the course of this pandemic. Many staff have worked extremely long hours under enormous pressure.
“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.
“For our lowest paid staff, this means we have gone above the Living Wage recommendation of £9.50 an hour, demonstrating our commitment to NHS Wales being a Living Wage employer.”
The pay rise is in addition to a one-off £735 bonus announced for all health and social care staff in Wales in March 2021.
However, the announcement is less than the 4% announced for Scottish NHS workers, despite the NHS Pay Review Body also advising ministers in Edinburgh.
The increase has already attracted criticism, with the GMB Union describing it as "insulting".
Union bosses say Government missed an opportunity to "turn their clapping into genuine recognition".
Rachel Harrison, GMB National Officer said: “NHS staff are on their knees – exhausted, fatigued and anxious – as we look set to enter another wave of the covid pandemic. Staff morale is rock bottom.
“Hospitals and ambulance services are operating under extreme pressures due to rising demand and staffing shortages. Now, rather than focussing on staff welfare they are being advised to enter the workplace against self-isolation advice and now given this frankly appalling pay offer which is yet another real terms cut.
“This was the opportunity for Government to turn their clapping in to genuine recognition. Their response is paltry. They have failed spectacularly.
“NHS workers know their worth and so do the public - shame on the government who don’t."