Category: public services

King’s Speech sets out plans to start mending broken public services

Commenting on the government’s planned programme of legislation set out in the King’s Speech today (Wednesday), UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:

“These bills are the start of the long process to mend much of what’s been broken by Conservative governments and generate the growth to get public services thriving once more.

“Labour’s workplace rights package promises to be a game changer. For too long, bad bosses have had it all their own way. The new deal is a chance to reset the dial in favour of good employers and every UK worker and jobseeker.

“Outdated practices like ‘fire and rehire’ and zero-hours are to be consigned to history in a move that’s understandably proved popular with voters from across the political spectrum.

“Social care gets some attention at last too. After years of government neglect, the fair pay agreement is the first sign things are set to change, with a national care service the ultimate prize.

“Once the new pay agreement is in place, wages in care will rise across England, easing the sector’s staffing nightmare and relieving pressure on the NHS.

“The government’s growth agenda is closely linked to devolved regional and local services, yet many councils are teetering on the brink of effective bankruptcy.

“Devolving powers and reforming planning regimes can only help generate growth if local government receives sustainable, long-term funding and is able to retain expert staff.”

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:
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk
Fatima Ayad M: 07508 080383 E: f.ayad@unison.co.uk

The article King’s Speech sets out plans to start mending broken public services first appeared on the UNISON National site.

King’s Speech sets out plans to start mending broken public services

Commenting on the government’s planned programme of legislation set out in the King’s Speech today (Wednesday), UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:

“These bills are the start of the long process to mend much of what’s been broken by Conservative governments and generate the growth to get public services thriving once more.

“Labour’s workplace rights package promises to be a game changer. For too long, bad bosses have had it all their own way. The new deal is a chance to reset the dial in favour of good employers and every UK worker and jobseeker.

“Outdated practices like ‘fire and rehire’ and zero-hours are to be consigned to history in a move that’s understandably proved popular with voters from across the political spectrum.

“Social care gets some attention at last too. After years of government neglect, the fair pay agreement is the first sign things are set to change, with a national care service the ultimate prize.

“Once the new pay agreement is in place, wages in care will rise across England, easing the sector’s staffing nightmare and relieving pressure on the NHS.

“The government’s growth agenda is closely linked to devolved regional and local services, yet many councils are teetering on the brink of effective bankruptcy.

“Devolving powers and reforming planning regimes can only help generate growth if local government receives sustainable, long-term funding and is able to retain expert staff.”

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:
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk
Fatima Ayad M: 07508 080383 E: f.ayad@unison.co.uk

The article King’s Speech sets out plans to start mending broken public services first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Labour’s manifesto offers the country real change

Commenting on the launch of the Labour manifesto today (Thursday), UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:

“This manifesto sets out a clear plan for the future. It shows how a Labour government could rebuild a Britain broken after years of Tory austerity and chaos.

“Unlike the party that’s been in power for the past 14 years, a Labour government would be committed to public services.

“Essential services aren’t a drain on the public purse, but a driver of economic growth. The public wants good public services and they’re fed up of seeing them driven into the ground.

“People want to be able to see a GP when they’re poorly, potholes to be filled on local roads and elderly relatives to get care packages when they become too frail to look after themselves. Simple things like this have become ever-more challenging under the Conservatives.

“A fair pay agreement in social care will be the first huge step towards ending the growing crisis in the sector. A national care service will alleviate pressure on the NHS and give everyone who needs it the support they deserve.

“Labour’s manifesto is gimmick-free and full of costed measures designed to make a real difference to people’s lives at work, at school or at home.

“Solving Britain’s many problems won’t be easy. But the manifesto is an appreciation of the hard work that lies ahead. It’s high time grown-ups were back in charge of the country. And hopefully in a matter of weeks they will be.”

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:
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.ukAnthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk

 

The article Labour’s manifesto offers the country real change first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Beleaguered public services need investment not an army of reluctant teen ‘volunteers’

Commenting on Conservative proposals that would see 18-year-olds either join the military or do ‘volunteer’ work for a year, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said today (Sunday):

“This is a desperate attempt to distract from the issues that matter to voters and suggests Rishi Sunak has completely lost the plot.

“It shows how quickly the government is prepared to abandon the communities it promised to ‘level up’.

“The cost of this hare-brained scheme would be better spent investing in youth services and on decent apprenticeships and training.

“Government cuts have closed hundreds of youth centres, leaving many vulnerable youngsters without support, direction or job opportunities.

“Essential services need proper resourcing and enough decently paid staff to deliver for the public. Not thousands of reluctant teen ‘volunteers’ who’d rather be anywhere else and would require supervision by an already overstretched workforce.”

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 contact:
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk

The article Beleaguered public services need investment not an army of reluctant teen ‘volunteers’ first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Beleaguered public services need investment not an army of reluctant teen ‘volunteers’

Commenting on Conservative proposals that would see 18-year-olds either join the military or do ‘volunteer’ work for a year, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said today (Sunday):

“This is a desperate attempt to distract from the issues that matter to voters and suggests Rishi Sunak has completely lost the plot.

“It shows how quickly the government is prepared to abandon the communities it promised to ‘level up’.

“The cost of this hare-brained scheme would be better spent investing in youth services and on decent apprenticeships and training.

“Government cuts have closed hundreds of youth centres, leaving many vulnerable youngsters without support, direction or job opportunities.

“Essential services need proper resourcing and enough decently paid staff to deliver for the public. Not thousands of reluctant teen ‘volunteers’ who’d rather be anywhere else and would require supervision by an already overstretched workforce.”

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 contact:
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk

The article Beleaguered public services need investment not an army of reluctant teen ‘volunteers’ first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Chancellor is living in a fantasy world

Commenting on the spring budget today (Wednesday), UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said: 

“This is the stuff of fantasy. The public won’t be fooled. Taxes overall remain at a record high and the promised growth is nowhere to be seen, despite what the chancellor would have everyone believe. 

“There’s no budget giveaway for the lowest paid. They’ll be substantially worse off. And persistently punching public services in the face helps no one.

“Families might be struggling, but people would rather have functioning local services than a few possible extra pounds in their pockets. 

“Public services are the fabric keeping communities together. No one wants to go weeks to see a GP, spend hours waiting in over-crowded A&E departments or languish on growing NHS waiting lists. 

“People want care packages when they need support, school buildings that won’t fall apart and for the police to keep them safe. That’s no longer possible under the Conservatives.

“Public services can barely cope as it is. Proper investment is what’s needed, not another dose of callous austerity or telling nurses, teaching assistants and care staff to work harder. 

“Never mind going back to square one, the chancellor’s determined to take the country back to the days of Charles Dickens.

“But let’s face it, this government ran out of ideas long ago. Ministers have misread the public mood and will pay for it at the ballot box.

“Rishi Sunak and his failing ministers are living on borrowed time. This lot should finally put the country first and call an election.”

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:
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk

The article Chancellor is living in a fantasy world first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Chancellor is living in a fantasy world

Commenting on the spring budget today (Wednesday), UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said: 

“This is the stuff of fantasy. The public won’t be fooled. Taxes overall remain at a record high and the promised growth is nowhere to be seen, despite what the chancellor would have everyone believe. 

“There’s no budget giveaway for the lowest paid. They’ll be substantially worse off. And persistently punching public services in the face helps no one.

“Families might be struggling, but people would rather have functioning local services than a few possible extra pounds in their pockets. 

“Public services are the fabric keeping communities together. No one wants to go weeks to see a GP, spend hours waiting in over-crowded A&E departments or languish on growing NHS waiting lists. 

“People want care packages when they need support, school buildings that won’t fall apart and for the police to keep them safe. That’s no longer possible under the Conservatives.

“Public services can barely cope as it is. Proper investment is what’s needed, not another dose of callous austerity or telling nurses, teaching assistants and care staff to work harder. 

“Never mind going back to square one, the chancellor’s determined to take the country back to the days of Charles Dickens.

“But let’s face it, this government ran out of ideas long ago. Ministers have misread the public mood and will pay for it at the ballot box.

“Rishi Sunak and his failing ministers are living on borrowed time. This lot should finally put the country first and call an election.”

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:
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk

The article Chancellor is living in a fantasy world first appeared on the UNISON National site.

UNISON joins Brussels protest against austerity

On Tuesday 12 December, a delegation of UNISON representatives joined thousands of people at a rally in Brussels to demand an end to austerity, better public services and fairer working conditions.

The Europe-wide mobilisation, On the Road for a Fair Deal for Workers, was organised by The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). It took place during EU negotiations over the new Stability and Growth Pact, which aims to limit debt and deficits for member countries.

The ETUC, which represents 45 million members, claims that under the current draft proposal for a reform, 14 member states will be forced to cut a combined 45 billion euros from their budgets next year alone.

“Under the current proposal, member states with a deficit above 3% of GDP will have to reduce their budget deficit by a minimum of 0.5% of GDP every year,” a spokesperson said. 

“That would lead to fewer jobs, lower wages, stretched public services and leave most EU member states unable to make the investments needed to meet the EU’s own social and climate targets.”

London NEC member Abiola Kusoro attended the rally. She said: “It’s fantastic to be in Brussels today as part of a UNISON delegation to the On the Road for a Fair Deal for Workers demonstration.

“We are marching united with unions from across the European continent in a powerful display against austerity and for a fair deal for workers.

“It is so important that UNISON has such a visible presence here today and it’s been a fantastic opportunity to meet and speak to activists from our sister unions to discuss recent member-led campaigns and how we can work together in the future.”

The article UNISON joins Brussels protest against austerity first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Thirteen years of Conservative austerity have left public services reeling

Opening four days of debate at the 155th Trades Union Congress in Liverpool today (Sunday) with a motion on the importance of investment in public services, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:

“After 13 years, not a single part of our public services have been immune from Conservative cuts. Years of austerity have left services reeling. 

“The longest NHS waiting lists in history, huge cuts to police forces and councils going bust. Care services are unable to deliver for patients, their families, or the workforce, but generate huge profits for offshore private equity trusts. 

“Inmates are escaping overcrowded prisons and unsafe schools are crumbling, although you can bet Eton, Winchester and Harrow won’t be among them.  

“The blame for all this belongs firmly at the door of the government in Westminster.  

“Workers across all public services, and everyone who relies on them, can see austerity has fractured and smashed the economy.   

“After more than a decade of Conservative failures in Westminster, living standards are lower and the country poorer.  

“Britain is broken. When spending is slashed, services crumble. Now the austerity chickens are coming home to roost. 

“This is the most venal, corrupt, inept government I can remember. One only concerned with boosting the profits of offshore companies and private equity firms. 

“Ministers have been determined to cut public services. When public servants demand pay increases, the government accuses them of risking higher inflation. But it’s not public sector wage rises that cause costs to spiral. 

“Tax loopholes for oil and gas giants, booming corporate profits and tax cuts for the wealthiest are what drives inflation.

“To grow the economy, deliver better living standards and fix Britain, strong public services are essential. 

“As the general election approaches, the focus must be on how working life can be made better by a Labour government. 

“The British public must never forget it’s the Tories who caused all the chaos and choked the economy.” 

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:  
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk 

The article Thirteen years of Conservative austerity have left public services reeling first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Thirteen years of Conservative austerity have left public services reeling

Opening four days of debate at the 155th Trades Union Congress in Liverpool today (Sunday) with a motion on the importance of investment in public services, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:

“After 13 years, not a single part of our public services have been immune from Conservative cuts. Years of austerity have left services reeling. 

“The longest NHS waiting lists in history, huge cuts to police forces and councils going bust. Care services are unable to deliver for patients, their families, or the workforce, but generate huge profits for offshore private equity trusts. 

“Inmates are escaping overcrowded prisons and unsafe schools are crumbling, although you can bet Eton, Winchester and Harrow won’t be among them.  

“The blame for all this belongs firmly at the door of the government in Westminster.  

“Workers across all public services, and everyone who relies on them, can see austerity has fractured and smashed the economy.   

“After more than a decade of Conservative failures in Westminster, living standards are lower and the country poorer.  

“Britain is broken. When spending is slashed, services crumble. Now the austerity chickens are coming home to roost. 

“This is the most venal, corrupt, inept government I can remember. One only concerned with boosting the profits of offshore companies and private equity firms. 

“Ministers have been determined to cut public services. When public servants demand pay increases, the government accuses them of risking higher inflation. But it’s not public sector wage rises that cause costs to spiral. 

“Tax loopholes for oil and gas giants, booming corporate profits and tax cuts for the wealthiest are what drives inflation.

“To grow the economy, deliver better living standards and fix Britain, strong public services are essential. 

“As the general election approaches, the focus must be on how working life can be made better by a Labour government. 

“The British public must never forget it’s the Tories who caused all the chaos and choked the economy.” 

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:  
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk 

The article Thirteen years of Conservative austerity have left public services reeling first appeared on the UNISON National site.