Gwenda Thomas, Deputy Minister for Children and Social Services
This was published under the 2011 to 2016 administration of the Welsh Government
Since I addressed the Chamber this morning about Southern Cross, I have been informed that the company have made an announcement at lunchtime that they have begun the process of harmonising terms and conditions of staff employment across their care homes in the UK and that this could potentially result in redundancies of up to 3,000 from a workforce of 42, 000.
The responsibility for staffing matters to provide proper care for residents is for Southern Cross. The financial restructuring of the company must be resolved on a commercial basis and they have put in place a plan to stabilise their business. I understand that this latest development is a part of that process and involves engagement with staff and Unions. It is not the role of Welsh Government to interfere in these commercial negotiations. In all our discussions with the company we have made clear that our main concern is the interests of resident and that clear protections for them are in place.