Clwyd backs bid to scrap pay cap

CYNON Valley MP Ann Clwyd has added her support to the growing campaign for the UK Government to scrap the 1% cap on public sector pay in the upcoming budget.

As the House of Commons returned from summer recess, the MP met with Richard Jones, who is from the area and previously worked at the former Aberdare General Hospital. He now represents Wales on the Royal College of Nursing Council, and was also a part of the college’s lobby of Parliament.

Last week, nursing staff held a demonstration in Parliament Square and separately met MPs to call on the chancellor to scrap the cap in the budget.

Ms Clwyd said she believed around 350 nurses were affected by the pay cap in the Cynon Valley, adding the cap “can’t continue if we are to keep the nurses we have, attract new recruits and ensure nursing staff can earn a decent wage”.

She added: “Understaffing is affecting the safety of patients. The autumn budget is an unmissable opportunity to scrap the public sector pay cap.”