Rural communities must not be left behind in Welsh Government social care plans, Powys Senedd Member says

Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd Senedd Member James Evans has challenged the Welsh Government to ensure rural communities are not left behind as the Welsh Government set out their plans for a national care service in Wales.

Speaking in the Senedd this week James questioned Deputy Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Women’s Health, Delyth Jewell MS, over the Welsh Government’s plans- calling for better pay for social care workers, greater support for unpaid carers and clearer funding commitments.

James raised concerns about the difficulties of recruiting social care staff in rural areas, warning that delivering high-quality care across communities like those in Powys requires proper investment and an understanding of the unique challenges facing rural services.

He also questioned the costs associated with establishing a national care service, called for greater integration between health and social care, and pressed the Deputy Minister on the timetable for delivering a new national social care academy.

Responding, the Deputy Minister said the Welsh Government was progressing fair pay agreements for social care workers and developing a social care intelligence hub to help identify pressures across Wales.

She also confirmed a new national strategy for unpaid carers would be published in November and committed to providing regular updates to the Senedd.

James Evans MS, Member of the Senedd for Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd, said: “Social care workers deserve far more than warm words. Paying the real living wage should be the starting point, not the ambition. If we want to recruit and retain the staff our communities desperately need, we must make sure they are properly paid, valued, and supported.

“Delivering social care in rural areas like Powys comes with unique challenges, particularly when it comes to recruiting staff and making sure people can access care close to home. We also cannot forget our unpaid carers, who do an incredible job looking after loved ones, often while community services such as day centres are being reduced.

“I have long questioned the need for another layer of bureaucracy through a national care service. What matters is getting funding to the frontline, supporting the workforce, and making sure people receive the care they need.

“The Welsh Government must now set out clear costs, realistic timescales and demonstrate how these plans will actually improve services for people across Wales.”