Hourly rate to rise as costs increase

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has confirmed an increase in the hourly rate paid to childcare providers under its Childcare Offer, following a review of funding levels.

The Minister for Children and Social Care, DAWN BOWDEN MS, announced that the rate will rise to £6.67 per hour from April 6, 2026. The increase of 4.18% comes after feedback from childcare providers and sector data gathered during 2025.

The Welsh Government said the change is designed to help providers cope with rising costs, including increases to the National Living Wage.

The Herald understands the review drew on responses from the Childcare Offer’s Annual Survey, as well as information from Care Inspectorate Wales’ Self-Assessment of Service Statement (SASS).

The move follows a policy shift announced last year to review the rate annually, rather than every three years, in a bid to make funding more responsive to pressures facing the sector.

As part of the update, the maximum charge for meals will also increase by 4.18%, which ministers say is intended to balance affordability for both providers and parents.

Dawn Boden said the Welsh Government remains committed to supporting the long-term sustainability of childcare services, adding that officials will continue working with the sector to explore further improvements.

BMA Cymru Wales accuses ministers of falling short on pay restoration as Welsh Government accepts DDRB recommendations for 2026-27

DOCTORS in Wales have accused the Welsh Government of failing to properly value NHS staff after ministers accepted this year’s independent pay recommendations for medical and dental professionals. The row centres on whether the award represents fair recognition for frontline staff — or yet another missed chance to reverse years of falling real-terms pay.

In a written statement published on Wednesday (Mar 25), Health Secretary Jeremy Miles said the Welsh Government had accepted the Doctors’ and Dentists’ Review Body recommendations on headline pay for 2026-27. Under the decision, consultants, specialty and associate specialist doctors, resident doctors, dentists and locally employed doctors will receive a 3.5% consolidated uplift from April 1, 2026, while salaried dentists in Community Dental Services and the Public Dental Service will receive 3.75%.

But while the Welsh Government also said it accepted in principle a 3.5% uplift for contractor GPs and a 3.75% uplift to the pay element of dental contracts, ministers made clear that final decisions on how those increases are applied alongside wider contract changes would be left to the next government.

That has triggered an angry response from BMA Cymru Wales. In a press release issued on Wednesday, Dr Iona Collins, chair of the BMA’s Welsh Council, said ministers had “once again chosen to impose an award that falls short” of repeated promises to deliver full pay restoration for doctors employed by NHS Wales.

She said the award failed to reflect the “superhuman” efforts of doctors working under intense pressure and warned that inadequate pay would make it harder to retain staff in the Welsh NHS at a time when many are considering leaving for better pay and conditions elsewhere.

The BMA also raised concerns about general practice, saying GP pay had effectively been left hanging because the Cabinet Secretary linked the award to ongoing General Medical Services contract discussions with the incoming administration. The union said this left general practice “out in the cold” compared with other branches of the profession and called for urgent talks.

The Welsh Government said the award would apply from April 1 and added that wider DDRB recommendations not directly related to headline pay would be considered separately with partners. Ministers thanked NHS staff for their “ongoing dedication and hard work”.

The dispute is likely to reignite the wider argument over recruitment, retention and morale in NHS Wales, with doctors’ leaders insisting that pay restoration is no longer simply about reward, but about preventing more clinicians from walking away from the service.

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has provided an update on its response to recommendations made by the National Infrastructure Commission for Wales (NICW) on improving flood resilience by 2050.

Deputy First Minister and Climate Change Secretary Huw Irranca-Davies said flooding and coastal erosion remain among the most immediate threats facing communities across Wales due to climate change.

He said the Government’s approach is guided by its national flood strategy, climate adaptation plans, and the Well-being of Future Generations Act, with a focus on reducing risk and strengthening long-term resilience.

The update outlines progress since commitments were made in April 2025, with ministers confirming that much of the work will continue into the next Senedd term due to the scale of the challenge.

Investment and long-term planning

The Welsh Government says it is maintaining record levels of investment in flood and coastal erosion management, alongside expanding natural flood management schemes and working more closely with Natural Resources Wales, councils and local communities.

Plans for wider reform of water governance are also under consideration, with a public consultation currently open until April 7. Any major structural changes are expected to be decided by the next Senedd.

Ministers also confirmed they are working towards a longer-term flood resilience strategy beyond 2030, aimed at creating a more integrated national approach.

Catchment approach and community support

A key focus is the development of catchment-based strategies, with pilot work underway on the River Taff. Similar collaborative schemes in areas such as the Wye and Usk are already being used to reduce flood risk while delivering environmental benefits.

The Government says improving community resilience remains a priority, with work ongoing alongside the National Flood Forum to better support communities before, during and after flooding.

Officials are also exploring new roles, including so-called “agents of change”, to strengthen engagement with vulnerable groups.

Funding challenges remain

More than £5 million has been committed to natural flood management projects in 2026–27, but ministers acknowledge public funding alone will not be enough.

Work is underway to attract private and partnership investment, including from infrastructure providers and insurers, alongside the development of a new sustainable finance framework.

While multi-year funding is seen as beneficial, the Government said annual budget cycles remain a barrier, though more flexible funding arrangements are being explored.

Skills, education and property protection

Efforts are also being made to strengthen the workforce, including new placements for students in local authorities, with further expansion planned.

Property-level flood protection will continue to be delivered by councils and Natural Resources Wales, with additional support for high-risk households under review.

The Welsh Government said the update demonstrates “clear progress” but acknowledged that long-term adaptation will require continued partnership working and sustained investment.