WALES' first minister Carwyn Jones is set to step down in December after ten years in office.

Carwyn Jones’ successor as the leader of the Welsh Labour Party will become the next first minister of Wales.

I had no hesitation in nominating Mark Drakeford AM.

People have asked me, why Mark?

Mark is a man with integrity and a lifetime of public service.

I’ve seen up close how hard working he is and how his quiet calm leadership is a refreshing antidote to the age of empty fury that we live in.

The first minister and the Welsh Labour Government’s work to deliver for the people in Islwyn continues.

I was delighted to see a pay rises for doctors and dentists in Wales.

The Welsh Labour Government have announced a new pay deal for doctors and dentists in Wales, which includes a higher salary increase than the deal agreed in England.

The Welsh Government has agreed in full the recommendations of the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration (DDRB):

  • A two per cent base increase for salaried doctors and dentists, salaried General Medical Practitioners (GMPs) and independent contractor GMPs and General Dental Practitioners (GDPs).
  • An additional two per cent for independent contractor GMPs, salaried GMPs and to the GMP trainers’ grant and the GMP appraisers’ rate.
  • An additional 1.5 per cent for Specialty and Associate Specialist (SAS) doctors.

Nurses and other National Health Service staff, on Agenda for Change terms and conditions, in Wales have agreed a new pay deal over three years.

Trade unions have unanimously agreed to the deal.

It matches, and in some areas goes beyond the pay deal for England.

It guarantees fair basic pay awards for the next three years to staff who are at the top of their bands – in cumulative 6.5 per cent in three years.

The pay offer includes:

  • Going beyond our commitment to the Living Wage Foundation recommendations, with a new rate of £17,460 introduced from April 1, 2018, as the minimum basic pay rate in the NHS and the lowest starting NHS salary increases to £18,005 in 2020/21.
  • Investing in higher starting salaries for staff in every pay band by reforming the pay system to remove overlapping pay points.
  • Guaranteeing fair basic pay awards for the next three years to the staff who are at the top of pay bands.
  • Guaranteeing fair basic pay awards and faster progression pay for the next three years to those staff who are not yet on the top of their pay band.

In 2018 as we celebrate the seventieth anniversary of our National Health Service it is right we reward the men and women who deliver daily on Nye Bevan’s wonderful legacy.