Responding to the speech by new prime minister Rishi Sunak as he arrived at Downing Street today (Tuesday), UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:
“No one can be under any illusion about the challenges that lie ahead. The previous prime minister has certainly made the situation a whole lot worse.
“If Rishi Sunak really wants the NHS and other public services to become stronger, they must have the resources needed to tackle the growing workforce crises.
“That starts with giving health employees a second pay rise to stop experienced staff from heading for the door. Unless the government acts soon, a strike across the NHS looks increasingly likely this winter.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk
The article New prime minister must improve pay if he wants a stronger NHS first appeared on the UNISON National site.