UNISON opinion: The budget will deliver more cuts and more pain

By UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea

Working people are bearing a triple burden. The cost of living crisis is still here, taxes are weighing heavy on workers, and in return, we’re getting broken public services that can’t guarantee support for everyone.

It’s even more galling for public service workers – they spend their working lives propping up essential services, only to be undermined at every turn by the Westminster government.

Underfunding services and undervaluing the workforce sabotages every effort made in hospitals, councils, schools, care homes and in the community.

The prime minister and the chancellor keep telling the public to stick with the plan, but the plan failed a long time ago.

Tomorrow’s Budget is an opportunity to help the economy grow, invest in public services, tackle low pay and ensure the country is not only prepared for the challenges ahead, but building a better future for everyone.

It will likely fail on all counts, with the Conservatives hoping to take off the edge with a sweetener gimmick. But gimmicks and slogans don’t put food on the table.

Rishi’s recession threatens to trap even more people into poverty, and the Treasury seems poised to further trash our public services with more cuts to spending. They’ll try and justify it with a small cut to income tax or national insurance.

Given the choice, the public would rather miss out on this ploy if it means properly investing in our struggling NHS, broken social care and childcare systems, saving councils from bankruptcy and boosting the economy.

UNISON agrees that taxes on working people are too high and it’s wrong that wealth isn’t taxed to the same level as earned income, but a 1p or 2p cut to National Insurance will benefit the richest households 12 times more than the poorest.

UNISON believes in an economy that has fairness at its heart. That means cancelling the personal allowance freeze so the lowest earners aren’t pulled into paying taxes they can’t afford. It means increasing taxes on unearned wealth so landlords are no longer paying less in taxes than their tenants. And it means fixing the tax loopholes that allow non-doms to get away with not paying their fair share, and gives the green light to oil and gas companies pocketing mega profits while polluting the planet.

Above all, fairness is about equal access to great quality public services. Right now, they’re on their knees – as are the workers delivering them.

After fourteen years of economic mismanagement, I know what to expect from tomorrow’s budget. More pain for working people, more money in the pockets of the wealthiest, more cuts to public services.

With the right people in power, making the right choices, it is possible to have a thriving economy, driven by a healthy, happy, safe and productive workforce. But all this depends on having a government that will deliver decent public services that can support everyone.

The article UNISON opinion: The budget will deliver more cuts and more pain first appeared on the UNISON National site.

UNISON opinion: The budget will deliver more cuts and more pain

By UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea

Working people are bearing a triple burden. The cost of living crisis is still here, taxes are weighing heavy on workers, and in return, we’re getting broken public services that can’t guarantee support for everyone.

It’s even more galling for public service workers – they spend their working lives propping up essential services, only to be undermined at every turn by the Westminster government.

Underfunding services and undervaluing the workforce sabotages every effort made in hospitals, councils, schools, care homes and in the community.

The prime minister and the chancellor keep telling the public to stick with the plan, but the plan failed a long time ago.

Tomorrow’s Budget is an opportunity to help the economy grow, invest in public services, tackle low pay and ensure the country is not only prepared for the challenges ahead, but building a better future for everyone.

It will likely fail on all counts, with the Conservatives hoping to take off the edge with a sweetener gimmick. But gimmicks and slogans don’t put food on the table.

Rishi’s recession threatens to trap even more people into poverty, and the Treasury seems poised to further trash our public services with more cuts to spending. They’ll try and justify it with a small cut to income tax or national insurance.

Given the choice, the public would rather miss out on this ploy if it means properly investing in our struggling NHS, broken social care and childcare systems, saving councils from bankruptcy and boosting the economy.

UNISON agrees that taxes on working people are too high and it’s wrong that wealth isn’t taxed to the same level as earned income, but a 1p or 2p cut to National Insurance will benefit the richest households 12 times more than the poorest.

UNISON believes in an economy that has fairness at its heart. That means cancelling the personal allowance freeze so the lowest earners aren’t pulled into paying taxes they can’t afford. It means increasing taxes on unearned wealth so landlords are no longer paying less in taxes than their tenants. And it means fixing the tax loopholes that allow non-doms to get away with not paying their fair share, and gives the green light to oil and gas companies pocketing mega profits while polluting the planet.

Above all, fairness is about equal access to great quality public services. Right now, they’re on their knees – as are the workers delivering them.

After fourteen years of economic mismanagement, I know what to expect from tomorrow’s budget. More pain for working people, more money in the pockets of the wealthiest, more cuts to public services.

With the right people in power, making the right choices, it is possible to have a thriving economy, driven by a healthy, happy, safe and productive workforce. But all this depends on having a government that will deliver decent public services that can support everyone.

The article UNISON opinion: The budget will deliver more cuts and more pain first appeared on the UNISON National site.

UNISON opinion: A better way is possible for social care

By UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea

Social care is broken. Despite it being an essential service that should be the cornerstone of a compassionate society, the Westminster government has washed its hands of it.

It has been allowed to deteriorate into a fragmented, underfunded and privatised system that’s unfit to meet the needs of social care users. The inadequate pay and conditions for the workers propping up the system, fail to recognise their value and contributions.

UNISON knows that care workers are the beating heart of social care, and is proud to represent so many working in care homes and communities.

Care workers should be able to look after everyone’s loved ones with the best care and kindness. But without the cash or sufficient staff, the sector is struggling to deliver and it’s putting unbearable pressure on the NHS and families.

But a better way is possible. A national care service is the radical change needed to fix social care. A service that everyone can be proud of.

Care users would be able to access the right care when they need it, their families would be reassured and able to continue working, and care workers would be truly valued, recognised and rewarded as the skilled professionals they are.

It’s in everyone’s best interest that England has a national care service. Labour has already pledged to create a national care service and a fair pay agreement in the sector.

I met with Wes Streeting MP, the shadow secretary of state for health and social care, who is the first to sign up to UNISON’s national care campaign pledge and is committed to delivering a service with the same respect as the NHS.

As we head towards a general election, UNISON is asking all parliamentary candidates in English seats, to join our campaign and publicly pledge their support.

The article UNISON opinion: A better way is possible for social care first appeared on the UNISON National site.

UNISON opinion: A better way is possible for social care

By UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea

Social care is broken. Despite it being an essential service that should be the cornerstone of a compassionate society, the Westminster government has washed its hands of it.

It has been allowed to deteriorate into a fragmented, underfunded and privatised system that’s unfit to meet the needs of social care users. The inadequate pay and conditions for the workers propping up the system, fail to recognise their value and contributions.

UNISON knows that care workers are the beating heart of social care, and is proud to represent so many working in care homes and communities.

Care workers should be able to look after everyone’s loved ones with the best care and kindness. But without the cash or sufficient staff, the sector is struggling to deliver and it’s putting unbearable pressure on the NHS and families.

But a better way is possible. A national care service is the radical change needed to fix social care. A service that everyone can be proud of.

Care users would be able to access the right care when they need it, their families would be reassured and able to continue working, and care workers would be truly valued, recognised and rewarded as the skilled professionals they are.

It’s in everyone’s best interest that England has a national care service. Labour has already pledged to create a national care service and a fair pay agreement in the sector.

I met with Wes Streeting MP, the shadow secretary of state for health and social care, who is the first to sign up to UNISON’s national care campaign pledge and is committed to delivering a service with the same respect as the NHS.

As we head towards a general election, UNISON is asking all parliamentary candidates in English seats, to join our campaign and publicly pledge their support.

The article UNISON opinion: A better way is possible for social care first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Blog: Celebrating our LGBT+ members and history

This month, UNISON has been celebrating LGBT+ History Month. It was founded in 2004, as an opportunity for everyone to raise awareness of the history, lives and experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

UNISON has taken a look back at the positive contribution activists and members have made to the struggle for equality. Meanwhile, across the union, events continue to celebrate the union’s Year of LGBT+ Workers.

The theme for the 2024 LGBT+ History Month is medicine – #UnderTheScope – serving as a reminder that the NHS and healthcare services would not be the same without LGBT+ people and their contribution to medical advances and health care. But we must also remember and understand the health inequalities faced by LGBT+ people.

In recent years, the UK has been steadily falling in the rankings of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association’s Rainbow Map of European countries. As discrimination against LGBT+ people increases in the UK, it’s more important than ever to take steps to tackle the growing inequalities.

With the current government fuelling hate and prejudice and actively stopping progressive legislation, we must get together and fight for positive change in workplaces and society, to make LGBT+ workers more visible and confident in their rights. We cannot tolerate hateful speech and rhetoric.

Over the past decades, UNISON has built a great community of LGBT+ activists and now we have a chance to give a platform to and listen to LGBT+ people and their needs. I hope you will join me and UNISON in celebrating LGBT+ History Month – together we can be the change this country needs to make every LGBT+ person feel safe and valued.

The article Blog: Celebrating our LGBT+ members and history first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Blog: Celebrating our LGBT+ members and history

This month, UNISON has been celebrating LGBT+ History Month. It was founded in 2004, as an opportunity for everyone to raise awareness of the history, lives and experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

UNISON has taken a look back at the positive contribution activists and members have made to the struggle for equality. Meanwhile, across the union, events continue to celebrate the union’s Year of LGBT+ Workers.

The theme for the 2024 LGBT+ History Month is medicine – #UnderTheScope – serving as a reminder that the NHS and healthcare services would not be the same without LGBT+ people and their contribution to medical advances and health care. But we must also remember and understand the health inequalities faced by LGBT+ people.

In recent years, the UK has been steadily falling in the rankings of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association’s Rainbow Map of European countries. As discrimination against LGBT+ people increases in the UK, it’s more important than ever to take steps to tackle the growing inequalities.

With the current government fuelling hate and prejudice and actively stopping progressive legislation, we must get together and fight for positive change in workplaces and society, to make LGBT+ workers more visible and confident in their rights. We cannot tolerate hateful speech and rhetoric.

Over the past decades, UNISON has built a great community of LGBT+ activists and now we have a chance to give a platform to and listen to LGBT+ people and their needs. I hope you will join me and UNISON in celebrating LGBT+ History Month – together we can be the change this country needs to make every LGBT+ person feel safe and valued.

The article Blog: Celebrating our LGBT+ members and history first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Blog: Give your ?? to our unions

It’s Valentine’s Day tomorrow, which also means it’s ?Unions Week. Whatever your relationship status, you can still show your endless love for your trade union.

Besides me shamelessly trying to fit a few love puns and song titles into this blog, you’ll find here my message about how important unions are to me, to everyone’s working lives and to the whole of society.

I’ve spent my whole working life in the trade union movement, because I know that trade unions make life better for working people. Unions help boost pay by up to £60,000 over a working life, while workers in unionised workplaces also have better pensions and much safer workplaces.

On any given day, there could be a new reason why someone needs their trade union. It might be for a national pay deal, a local re-banding claim, for better protections in the workplace, as during COVID, or for support with a grievance or disciplinary.

Trade unions will always be needed, and right now that need is growing stronger every day that this Westminster government stays in power. As long as the Tories are in Parliament, working people’s lives and living standards are being hammered. It’s been so clear in their attacks on workers’ rights and trade union rights that they don’t have workers’ best interests at heart.

Getting to meet so many of our members and activists is the best part of being general secretary. And I’m proud that UNISON gives public service workers a union for life – from school uniform grants, representation for student nurses and our young members’ forum, right through to our support for retired members.

So, this ?Unions Week, remember that UNISON loves you just the way you are. And why not take the opportunity this week to show your love for UNISON, by telling more of your friends and work colleagues all the good reasons to join us.

The article Blog: Give your ❤️ to our unions first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Blog: Give your ?? to our unions

It’s Valentine’s Day tomorrow, which also means it’s ?Unions Week. Whatever your relationship status, you can still show your endless love for your trade union.

Besides me shamelessly trying to fit a few love puns and song titles into this blog, you’ll find here my message about how important unions are to me, to everyone’s working lives and to the whole of society.

I’ve spent my whole working life in the trade union movement, because I know that trade unions make life better for working people. Unions help boost pay by up to £60,000 over a working life, while workers in unionised workplaces also have better pensions and much safer workplaces.

On any given day, there could be a new reason why someone needs their trade union. It might be for a national pay deal, for a local re-banding claim, for better protections in the workplace – as during COVID – or for support with a grievance or disciplinary.

Trade unions will always be needed, and right now that need is growing stronger every day that this Westminster government stays in power. As long as the Tories are in Parliament, working people’s lives and living standards are being hammered. It’s been so clear in their attacks on workers’ rights and trade union rights that they don’t have workers’ best interests at heart.

Getting to meet so many of our members and activists is the best part of being general secretary. And I’m proud that UNISON gives public service workers a union for life – from school uniform grants, representation for student nurses and our young members’ forum, right through to our support for retired members.

So, this ?Unions Week, remember that UNISON loves you just the way you are. And why not take the opportunity this week to show your love for UNISON, by telling more of your friends and work colleagues all the good reasons to join us.

The article Blog: Give your ❤️ to our unions first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Blog: The hope Labour can bring

Winning seats like Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy in Scotland is a must for Labour at the next election.

If Labour does win back the seat (and many others like it) to secure a general election victory, it will be because of the promises the party is making in the New Deal for Working People. This package of rights, protections and actions was written up in partnership with trade unions and is packed full of UNISON priorities.

It’s not difficult to see the huge part UNISON played in developing the transformational plan for workers and the economy.

I spent yesterday with Angela Rayner, the deputy leader of the Labour Party, and Wilma Brown, UNISON activist and parliamentary candidate in that Scottish seat, bringing hope of what the New Deal can achieve to voters’ doorsteps.

Christina McAnea with Angela Rayner, Wilma Brown, and UNISON activists

Christina McAnea with Angela Rayner, Wilma Brown, and UNISON activists

The Westminster government’s only plan for workers is to threaten them with the sack if they try to take strike action to secure better pay and conditions. Labour’s plan offers so much for trade unions and the workers they represent.

A new government needs to make work pay with a genuine living wage, pay equality and Fair Pay Agreements in social care. Workers need more security, with an end to zero-hours contracts and fire and rehire. Trade unions need strengthened rights to organise and our whole society will benefit from better sick pay, parental leave and day-one rights at work. The New Deal promises all of this.

Workers can only thrive when they’re being treated fairly and paid enough to have a decent life. Good employers already know that and do the right thing by their staff. But for so many others, they’re at the whim of unscrupulous bosses.

UNISON is fully behind the New Deal and Labour’s promise to introduce an Employment Rights Bill within the first 100 days of office. UNISON will hold an incoming Labour government to account, making sure it delivers on its promise to make Britain work for working people.

The article Blog: The hope Labour can bring first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Blog: The hope Labour can bring

Winning seats like Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy in Scotland is a must for Labour at the next election.

If Labour does win back the seat (and many others like it) to secure a general election victory, it will be because of the promises the party is making in the New Deal for Working People. This package of rights, protections and actions was written up in partnership with trade unions and is packed full of UNISON priorities.

It’s not difficult to see the huge part UNISON played in developing the transformational plan for workers and the economy.

I spent yesterday with Angela Rayner, the deputy leader of the Labour Party, and Wilma Brown, UNISON activist and parliamentary candidate in that Scottish seat, bringing hope of what the New Deal can achieve to voters’ doorsteps.

Christina McAnea with Angela Rayner, Wilma Brown, and UNISON activists

Christina McAnea with Angela Rayner, Wilma Brown, and UNISON activists

The Westminster government’s only plan for workers is to threaten them with the sack if they try to take strike action to secure better pay and conditions. Labour’s plan offers so much for trade unions and the workers they represent.

A new government needs to make work pay with a genuine living wage, pay equality and Fair Pay Agreements in social care. Workers need more security, with an end to zero-hours contracts and fire and rehire. Trade unions need strengthened rights to organise and our whole society will benefit from better sick pay, parental leave and day-one rights at work. The New Deal promises all of this.

Workers can only thrive when they’re being treated fairly and paid enough to have a decent life. Good employers already know that and do the right thing by their staff. But for so many others, they’re at the whim of unscrupulous bosses.

UNISON is fully behind the New Deal and Labour’s promise to introduce an Employment Rights Bill within the first 100 days of office. UNISON will hold an incoming Labour government to account, making sure it delivers on its promise to make Britain work for working people.

The article Blog: The hope Labour can bring first appeared on the UNISON National site.