Welsh Labour responded to NHS crisis claims yesterday with a pledge to pay for 1,000 new front-line workers with money raised from a mansion tax.

First Minister Carwyn Jones said that new doctors, nurses and therapists would be his first priority with cash raised by the tax, which would be implemented if Labour takes power at Westminster in May.

The Welsh government would receive a share of money raised through the annual charge on owners of homes worth over £2 million.