AS we head into autumn and winter, the Welsh Government is reminding everyone a few simple actions can help protect you and your family from common winter illnesses and support the NHS to focus on people who need the most care.

Vaccination is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of flu, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and other common respiratory viruses, which traditionally increase during the colder months, alongside the occasional peaks of Covid-19 cases throughout the year.

Flu vaccinations for children are already underway in schools and the adult flu and Covid-19 vaccination programme will begin on 1 October.

For the first time, pregnant women are being offered the RSV vaccine to help protect newborn babies from this virus, which can lead to serious complications, especially in winter. The RSV vaccine is also being offered to people as they turn 75 years old as part of a year-round programme which launched earlier this month in Wales.

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Jeremy Miles, said: “As our health and care services prepare for winter, we can all take steps to protect ourselves and each other.

“Taking up the offer of vaccination if you are eligible for a flu jab, for a Covid-19 booster or the new RSV vaccine will help protect you from these common illnesses. Pharmacies provide expert advice and treatment for a wide range of common conditions from coughs and colds to stomach issues and can help to ease the pressure on GP and other NHS services to make sure they are there for those who need the most care and support.”

The Welsh Government has today issued a Winter Respiratory Framework to help health and care services manage the expected rise in respiratory illnesses over the winter months to protect the most vulnerable in society from serious illness.

Health boards across Wales have also been given guidance to ensure infection prevention measures in healthcare settings are robust to keep people safe and maintain the efficiency of health services throughout the winter.

The Public Health Wales website provides details about eligibility for the NHS flu and Covid-19 vaccines: Eligibility for the vaccine – Public Health Wales

REPORTS of illegal vape sales to teenagers in Wales have skyrocketed by 57% over the past year, with new data revealing that underage sales are reported to local authorities almost daily. However, despite the growing number of reports, only a fraction of offenders face fines, prompting calls for tougher enforcement.

According to figures obtained through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, Welsh councils received reports of underage vape sales nearly every day last year. Yet, only one in 20 sellers were issued penalties, with fines totalling just £1,250 across the country—far below the maximum penalty of £2,500 per offence.

The data, published in the 2024 Underage Vape Sales Report, analysed responses from 138 local authorities across the UK and was compiled by Vape Club, a leading vaping retailer. The report highlights the urgent need for the government to introduce a Vape Retailer and Distributor Licensing framework to combat the illegal market and prevent the sale of vapes to children.

Worst-affected areas

Among the Welsh local authorities, Rhondda Cynon Taf topped the list with 70 reports of illegal vape sales to minors. Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council reported 46 cases, while Caerphilly and the Isle of Anglesey each recorded 31 incidents. Cyngor Gwynedd Council followed with 24 reports.

Across the UK, over 4,500 reports of underage vape sales were recorded in the past year, equivalent to one every two hours, representing a 31% increase on the previous year.

Calls for tougher penalties

Dan Marchant, Director of Vape Club, the UK’s largest vape retailer, stressed the need for more robust measures to deter illegal sales. He called on the government to support local authorities in enforcing stricter penalties for offenders.

“The government needs to support local councils in enforcing stricter penalties. While some progress is being made, it’s clear that there’s still plenty more that can be done to tackle the issue of underage vape sales in Wales,” Mr Marchant said.

He also advocated for the introduction of a licensing framework, which he argued could generate £50 million annually for Trading Standards, without increasing the tax burden on the public. The additional funds would allow for stricter enforcement and higher fines, which are currently well below the maximum permitted amount.

“Rogue retailers face little risk of being caught, and the current fines are simply too low,” Marchant added. “We would like to see fines raised to at least £10,000, with even higher penalties for repeat offenders.”

Council response

Local councils have acknowledged the growing problem, with Councillor Michelle Symonds, cabinet member for regeneration, housing, and public protection at Merthyr Tydfil Council, urging residents to report any suspected illegal sales.

“We have seen an increase in more young people experimenting with vapes. It is not acceptable to sell vapes to anyone underage. I encourage our communities to report any trader that they believe is selling vapes to our youths,” Cllr Symonds said.

Despite the mounting concerns, enforcement remains weak. With fines often falling far below the maximum penalty and few offenders being prosecuted, calls for reform are growing louder across the country.

The issue of youth vaping continues to be a pressing public health concern, and both industry leaders and local authorities are pushing for stronger regulatory measures to address the rising tide of underage sales in Wales and beyond.

WALES’ new finance secretary insisted inflation-busting pay rises for teachers, doctors and nurses will not lead to a reduction in spending on public services.

Mark Drakeford, who was named finance secretary last week, said the Welsh Government worked through the summer to ensure funding is in place to support pay awards.

He told the Senedd: “As a result of all that work, we are confident we can fund these awards without the need to reduce spending in these or other public services.”

In a statement on September 17, the ex-First Minister said teachers will receive 5.5% with an extra £5m to move additional learning needs co-ordinators to a leadership pay range.

He explained that doctors and nurses on ‘Agenda for Change’ terms will also receive 5.5% while NHS-employed doctors and dentists will receive 6%.

Prof Drakeford added that ministers have agreed an average 5% increase to the total pay bill for staff in the Welsh Government civil service and arm’s-length bodies.

He said: “Taken together, this means that over 180,000 public sector workers – from hospital cleaners to teachers and civil servants – will receive an above-inflation pay award this year.”

But the finance secretary, who previously held the role from 2016 until 2018 when he became First Minister, cautioned that the financial climate remains challenging.

“Difficult decisions will once again shape next year’s budget,” he said.

“However, making this decision now, giving certainty to public sector employers and, crucially, those who work in our public services, means that increases will be reflected in pay packets as soon as possible, and before the end of this year at the latest.”

The Welsh Government will publish its draft 2025/26 spending plans on December 10.

Peter Fox, the Conservatives’ shadow finance secretary, welcomed some pay increases, saying they will go some way to improving retention rates in health and education.

But he raised concerns about public pay as a whole in his response to the statement.

Mr Fox, who represents Monmouth, said: “We must be careful that both this government and the one in Westminster do not lose control of public pay.

“The Labour government in Westminster has offered almost £10,000 pay rises to train drivers, who are already on more than £60,000 a year, while taking much-needed fuel payments from our pensioners.

“I’m glad that you are confident that, unlike your colleagues in Westminster, you do not feel as if you have to cut services for this round of pay rises. That’s welcome.

“However, as you indicate, there could be more public sector rises to come.

“With this in mind, what reassurances can you give the people of Wales that these future pay rises are not going to come at the expense of the most vulnerable people in society?”

His Plaid Cymru counterpart Heledd Fychan broadly welcomed the pay rises as she called for an update on local government staff who are not part of the latest settlement.

But she warned: “The fact that the Labour government in Westminster is as committed, it would appear, to austerity as their Conservative predecessors is deeply concerning.”

Ms Fychan said anything less than pay restoration to pre-austerity levels would point to empty promises in terms of the benefits of Labour governments at both ends of the M4.

The South Wales Central MS stressed that pay alone will not solve all the problems facing the workforce, nor resolve difficulties recruiting and retaining staff.

She said: “Although pay was a factor in the industrial action we have seen, it is important that we also acknowledge that staff have also decided to take action because of their concerns about working conditions.”

Carolyn Thomas, a Labour backbencher, who represents North Wales, welcomed the uplift in public sector pay, asking about the social care and childcare sectors.

Prof Drakeford pointed to Welsh Government funding to ensure social care workers are paid the real living wage and committed to working closely with councils on childcare.

He said: “There are other groups of workers in the public sector who we know do not get the recognition, both in public esteem and in pay, for the value of the work that they do.”

Plaid Cymru’s Peredur Owen Griffiths asked about people employed by charities, such as nurses in hospices who benchmark against public sector pay awards.

Prof Drakeford told the finance committee chair: “We recognise that deals that are set in the direct public service have knock-on implications for the third sector.

“We have a range of ways in which we are able to navigate that.”