Labour Morning Star
Solving long-term health visitors’ strike and devolution of welfare raised in FMQs
A HEALTH visitors’ strike and the devolution of the welfare benefits system to Wales dominated FMQs today. Unite Cwm Taf health visitors have been on strike since February and Reform UK Senedd Member
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Unite Cwm Taf health visitors have been on strike since February and Reform UK Senedd Member Steve Bayliss wanted to know what assurances the Welsh government has sought from Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board about safeguarding arrangements and health visiting capacity during the action.
Rhun ap Iorwerth said the health board had provided evidence of safeguarding oversight, risk assessment and action to protect children and families after the Welsh government had asked it to review its arrangements because of the strike action.
The FM said the review was commissioned because of the exceptional duration of the dispute, not because there was evidence of safeguarding failures.
Plaid Cymru’s MS Sera Evans said she had met with striking health visitors and Unite Wales, asking: “What extra pressure is the government exerting in order to ensure that this matter is solved soon?”
The FM replied: “This government has engaged actively in every way that we can with the health board, and with representatives of the trade union, in order to try and encourage an early resolution of this dispute, and we will continue to do everything that we can in order to ensure that a resolution is found.”
Plaid Cymru’s Alun Cox wanted to know what progress the Welsh government has made in persuading Westminster to devolve the benefits system to Wales, saying it could help deliver real outcomes for some of the poorest households.
“We will continue to press for additional welfare powers to deliver made-in-Wales support schemes that reflect our values and meet the needs of communities across Wales,” Mr ap Iorwerth said.