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.

Fiery PMQs clash descends into chaos as Labour jeers and Reform exits chamber

REFORM UK MPs dramatically walked out of the House of Commons on Wednesday (Mar 25) following a heated Prime Minister’s Questions exchange that saw Sir Keir Starmer launch a scathing attack on Nigel Farage.

The confrontation erupted after Farage challenged the Prime Minister on small boat crossings, prompting a blistering response from Starmer.

Addressing the Commons, the Prime Minister said: “This is from the man and the party that voted against giving law enforcement counter-terrorism style powers to tackle it.

“So he wants the grievance, he doesn’t want it sorted and he has absolutely no judgment.”

Starmer went further, accusing the Reform leader of inconsistency on foreign policy and opportunism in politics.

“He again said, ‘let’s join the war, let’s all go to war’… A week later, a screeching U-turn. We don’t want to go to war. And he says trust his judgment. It’s hard to take anything he says seriously.”

The Labour leader concluded with a stinging remark: “Reform don’t want to solve problems, they only want to exploit them… it’s an absolute disgrace.”

Within moments of the comments, Reform MPs began leaving the chamber in protest. Farage was followed out by fellow MPs including Robert Jenrick and former Home Secretary Suella Braverman.

Labour MPs responded with loud jeers, with some shouting “bye” as the group exited.

The walkout quickly drew criticism from Labour figures. Cabinet minister Jo Stevens later posted on social media: “What a bunch of snowflakes.”

The dramatic scenes underline the increasingly volatile atmosphere in Westminster, as Reform UK continues to position itself as a disruptive force in British politics ahead of upcoming elections.

The Herald understands tensions between Labour and Reform MPs have intensified in recent weeks, particularly over immigration and national security policy.