WREXHAM’S MP says she is unsure why an NHS pay protest was held outside her office.

Health workers and members of the Unite union gathered with banners outside her constituency office on Regent Street this afternoon (Friday, 21 August).

It forms part of calls for the next pay rise for NHS staff to be brought forward from April 2021 in recognition of their efforts during the coronavirus crisis.

However, the Conservative MP highlighted that health pay was a devolved matter in Wales.

She also drew attention to the fact she recently returned to the frontline by carrying out shifts as a nurse during the pandemic.

The parliamentary register of members’ interests shows she worked a total of 61 hours on a part-time basis from June 11 to July 3 this year, earning £876 in the process.

Ms Atherton said all of her earnings had been donated to local charities.

In a post on Twitter, she said: “I completely support the right to a peaceful protest.

“I’m unsure why there is a protest outside my office, given I am clearly a strong supporter of the wonderful work that nurses do.

“Healthcare is devolved and therefore NHS pay increases are in the gift of the Welsh Labour Govt.

“I am a nurse myself and returned to the Maelor help in the fight against COVID-19. I have donated my salary from my shifts to local charities.”

A representative for Unite Wales said the location of the protest had been chosen after they received no reply to calls for the Wrexham MP to sign up to an Early Day Motion (EDM) in Westminster.

He said the aim was to bring forward the UK-wide NHS pay anniversary and money would need to be passed on from the UK Government to the devolved administration to fund the uplift.

Dean Shone said: “Unite Wales is fully backing its members and the groundswell of opinion that NHS staff want the pay rise brought forward from April 2021.

“And these calls are justified to recognise the extraordinary commitment and sacrifice of NHS staff throughout the Covid-19 outbreak.

“Unite Wales believes that the depth of public gratitude for this work must now be reflected by the UK Government bringing forward an early and substantial pay rise that reflects the aspirations of Unite members.

“Sadly Sarah’s wasn’t at her office and surprisingly the office was completely closed, so Unite Wales along with Unite members working in the NHS were unable to convey the depth of feeling from NHS staff in her constituency that a pay rise is needed now, warm words and applause are appreciated but they go no way to paying the bills.”

Unite said it would be asking all Welsh MP’s to sign up to the EDM and more demonstrations are planned over the coming days and weeks.