The Welsh Government has announced above-inflation pay awards for hundreds of thousands of public sector workers, including NHS staff and teachers. These pay rises, set to be implemented in 2024/2025, come as the government has accepted the recommendations from independent pay review bodies in full.
Pay Awards Breakdown
The pay increases are expected to benefit a range of workers across the public sector:
- Teachers: A 5.5% pay award has been confirmed for teachers.
- NHS staff (Agenda for Change terms): NHS staff, including nurses and other healthcare professionals, will also receive a 5.5% rise.
- Doctors and Dentists: Doctors, dentists, GPs, and salaried GPs will receive a 6% pay award, with an additional £1,000 allocated specifically for junior doctors.
- Civil Servants and Other Public Bodies: Civil servants, along with employees at public organisations such as Natural Resources Wales and the Development Bank of Wales, are set to receive an average pay rise of up to 5%.
The First Minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan, expressed that these awards reflect the importance of the public sector workers who form the backbone of critical services such as healthcare and education.
First Minister’s Statement
Addressing the pay awards, First Minister Eluned Morgan said:
“People across Wales have told us over the summer that public sector workers are the backbone of the services we all rely on – from the nurses in our NHS to teachers in classrooms across Wales. They want them to be fairly rewarded for the vital work they do. These pay awards reflect how we value them and respect their hard work.”
She also noted the public’s expectation for improved services, particularly in the NHS and education, and emphasized that the Welsh Government will work to deliver on these demands.
Financial Strategy
Rebecca Evans, the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Finance, also spoke on the financial planning behind the decision. She stressed the government’s commitment to fair pay settlements within the context of social partnerships with unions:
“We greatly value the hundreds of thousands of people working across the public sector in Wales and the work they do every day. We have worked hard to be able to make this offer. We are committed to working in social partnership with unions to achieve fair pay settlements which are affordable while also recognising the huge contribution made by public sector workers.”
Doctors’ Reaction
Doctors in Wales, represented by BMA Cymru Wales, have welcomed the pay award, while acknowledging that the fight for full pay restoration will continue. Dr Oba Babs-Osibodu and Dr Peter Fahey, co-chairs of the BMA’s Welsh Junior Doctors Committee, described the 6% award as a positive step:
“Whilst we will continue to fight for full pay restoration to recover the years of real-terms pay cuts, today’s award does provide some further reversal of that erosion.”
Similarly, Dr Stephen Kelly, chair of the BMA’s Welsh Consultants Committee, highlighted the importance of this development in improving compensation for medical professionals in Wales. While negotiations earlier in the year led to this improvement, he noted that the restoration of real-terms pay remains an ongoing concern.
Excluded Sectors
It is important to note that some parts of the public sector in Wales, such as local government staff, fire and rescue services, and social care, are not covered by the independent pay review bodies. Pay negotiations for these groups are handled through separate processes. Additionally, a four-week consultation period will begin for teachers, aligning their 5.5% award with that offered in England.
The Workers Union Says…
“The Welsh Government’s decision to accept independent pay review recommendations marks a significant step in addressing concerns over fair compensation for public sector workers. With a focus on balancing affordability with recognising the vital contributions of these employees, the announcement signals a clear commitment to supporting the workforce that underpins essential public services.”
