WELSH nationalists pledged today to make a national care service in Wales a reality and promised a £1 rise in the National Living Wage for care workers.

Health and social care spokesman Mabon ap Gwynfor made the promises at the Plaid Cymru’s spring conference in Llandudno.

He said: “If we have the honour of being in government next year, I pledge that Plaid Cymru will redouble efforts to bring the national care service closer to fruition, injecting much-needed fresh energy to this essential process.”

Mr ap Gwynfor scorned the recent, modest drop in people waiting more than two years for NHS treatment, by almost 11 per cent in January 2025 from December 2024.

“More than 21,000 people are waiting more than two years for treatment and waiting lists have gone up since Baroness Eluned Morgan became First Minister,” Mr ap Gwynfor said.

“Every Labour first minister has left office with waiting lists higher than when they entered.”