Welsh ministers must use their powers to fix NHS pay, unions urge

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Unions representing nurses, healthcare assistants and porters are calling on the minister to deliver long-promised reforms to Agenda for Change, the pay system covering most NHS staff.

Successive changes of Britain’s health secretary have stalled progress and the Welsh government must now restore momentum, the unions, which include Unison, Unite and GMB, say.

The previous Welsh government announced a 3.3 per cent pay award in February and committed to reforms to the pay structure, with improvements backdated to April 2026.

But staff are still waiting for an agreement beyond basic pay.

The unions warn the outdated salary structure fails to properly reward skills, experience and responsibility, making it harder to recruit and retain staff and putting further pressure on patient care.

Most health unions have said they will boycott the future pay review process, saying ministers should instead focus on reaching a negotiated settlement.

The Scottish government already negotiates directly with health unions, securing a two-year deal covering 2025 to 2027.

Unison Cymru’s Tanya Bull said: “Fixing NHS pay is unfinished business. Staff have heard promise after promise, but every delay risks driving experienced people away from the services patients rely on.

“A government seeking more powers for Wales should use the powers it already has.

“Scotland shows what direct negotiations can achieve for NHS staff. Health unions in Wales are ready to negotiate directly on both pay reform and the annual increase.

“[Health Minister] Mabon ap Gwynfor must set a timetable and commit the funding needed to finish the job.”

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