James Evans MS has called on the Welsh Government to ensure rural communities are not left behind in its plans for a national care service.

Speaking in the Senedd this week, the MS for Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd questioned Deputy Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Women’s Health Delyth Jewell about funding, staff pay and support for unpaid carers.

Mr Evans raised concerns about recruiting social care workers in rural areas such as Powys, where providing services can be challenging, and questioned the cost of establishing a national care service.

He also called for better integration between health and social care and asked about the timetable for a new national social care academy.

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

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

Mr Evans 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.”