Question

Asked by Jessica Morden to Wales on 04 November 2026 — tabled under the Andy Burnham government

As the Minister has just said, NHS waiting lists have soared to a 10-month high since Plaid Cymru’s election, despite the progress that was being made as they came down under Welsh Labour. Will the Minister join me in urging Plaid to make cutting waiting lists a priority, especially as we enter these winter months, when NHS pressures are at their greatest?

Answer

Answered by Anna McMorrin (Labour)

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Waiting lists are going up under Plaid Cymru after the Welsh Labour Government brought them down for 10 months straight. Welsh Labour has always prioritised the NHS, including through free prescriptions, mental health support via 111, free car parking in hospitals, women’s health hubs and specialist mental health support in every school. Those were Welsh Labour decisions based on Welsh Labour values, and I urge the Plaid Cymru Government to honour them, perhaps by using the £450 million in additional funding that this UK Labour Government announced at the Budget just last week.

29% point-scoring 18% vibes

Verdict: AMBER (70/100)

The reply directly agrees with the Member and calls on the Plaid Cymru Government to act on its NHS commitments, pointing to £450 million in additional funding as the means to do so. It does not address the winter-pressure qualifier in the original question, so that part of the question is left unanswered. The core request is answered clearly, but the missing qualifier could prompt a follow-up.

Verdict: AMBER (62/100)

The reply directly engages with the main point of the question, agreeing with it and citing waiting-list figures and a funding figure. However, it places the responsibility for action on the Welsh Government rather than setting out what the department itself will do. It does not address the part of the question about winter months, so the person who asked would likely need to follow up on that point.

How we got there

Question item	Coverage	Specificity	Rationale
Will the Minister join the Member in urging Plaid Cymru to make cutting NHS waiting lists a priority, particularly over the winter months when NHS pressures are greatest?	Addressed	Direct	The reply directly agrees with the Member and explicitly urges the Plaid Cymru Government to act on NHS commitments, pointing to a specific £450 million in additional funding as the means. It does not mention the winter-pressure qualifier, but the core request to urge Plaid Cymru to prioritise waiting lists is answered.
Will the Minister join in urging Plaid Cymru to make cutting NHS waiting lists a priority, particularly over the winter months when NHS pressures are greatest?	Addressed	Direct	The reply opens by agreeing with the question ('absolutely right'), then explicitly urges the Plaid Cymru Government to act, citing waiting-list figures and the £450 million funding it suggests Plaid could use. It does not address the 'particularly over the winter months' element, which is a minor gap.