Category: Christina McAnea

Rosebank decision makes achieving net-zero much harder, warns UNISON

Commenting on the announcement that Rosebank, the UK’s largest untapped oil field, has been given the go-ahead by regulators, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:

“This is yet another setback in the battle against climate change. It confirms the government‘s total lack of commitment to achieving net-zero.

“There is no guarantee the new oil will benefit the country. It’ll still need to be sold on the international market, not only to UK consumers.

“Serious investment and a proper focus on renewable energy and decarbonised gases like hydrogen is the best way to lower emissions, reduce costs and protect the planet.

“This regressive move will not reduce a single energy bill. Instead, it spells doom for future generations, and further tarnishes the UK’s global record on climate change.”

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

The article Rosebank decision makes achieving net-zero much harder, warns UNISON first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Blog: How much trouble is your local council in?

At every stage of our lives, we depend on services close to our homes in our local communities. Most of these services are delivered by councils and the council staff who dedicate their work to supporting others. 

Yet they’re finding their work is being undermined as budgets are slashed to the bone – and after 13 years of cuts, there’s not much left.

A staggering funding chasm of £3.5 billion by the financial year 2024/25 looms over our councils. The impact is not abstract, it has real consequences for people.

In the aftermath of Birmingham, Thurrock and Woking Councils’ bankruptcies, countless other councils will dominate headlines as the financial struggle becomes more acute.

This week, UNISON is launching new data on the exact funding gap that your council is facing. It’s bleak reading, but there is action that you can take to help your community.

First, we’re asking you to take a look here and see the difficulty facing your local council, and second, we’re asking you to contact your MP, MSP or Senned Member to ask them to support our calls for increased central government funding for local councils.

Your council needs you to stand up for the services we all rely on. When we stand together, we can make real change happen.

By us all reaching out to our local members of parliament, we make our demands impossible to ignore – only emergency funding now will save our services.

Find out what the situation is like where you live

The article Blog: How much trouble is your local council in? first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Blog: How much trouble is your local council in?

At every stage of our lives, we depend on services close to our homes in our local communities. Most of these services are delivered by councils and the council staff who dedicate their work to supporting others. 

Yet they’re finding their work is being undermined as budgets are slashed to the bone – and after 13 years of cuts, there’s not much left.

A staggering funding chasm of £3.5 billion by the financial year 2024/25 looms over our councils. The impact is not abstract, it has real consequences for people.

In the aftermath of Birmingham, Thurrock and Woking Councils’ bankruptcies, countless other councils will dominate headlines as the financial struggle becomes more acute.

This week, UNISON is launching new data on the exact funding gap that your council is facing. It’s bleak reading, but there is action that you can take to help your community.

First, we’re asking you to take a look here and see the difficulty facing your local council, and second, we’re asking you to contact your MP, MSP or Senned Member to ask them to support our calls for increased central government funding for local councils.

Your council needs you to stand up for the services we all rely on. When we stand together, we can make real change happen.

By us all reaching out to our local members of parliament, we make our demands impossible to ignore – only emergency funding now will save our services.

Find out what the situation is like where you live

The article Blog: How much trouble is your local council in? first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Blog: How much trouble is your local council in?

At every stage of our lives, we depend on services close to our homes in our local communities. Most of these services are delivered by councils and the council staff who dedicate their work to supporting others. 

Yet they’re finding their work is being undermined as budgets are slashed to the bone – and after 13 years of cuts, there’s not much left.

A staggering funding chasm of £3.5 billion by the financial year 2024/25 looms over our councils. The impact is not abstract, it has real consequences for people.

In the aftermath of Birmingham, Thurrock and Woking Councils’ bankruptcies, countless other councils will dominate headlines as the financial struggle becomes more acute.

This week, UNISON is launching new data on the exact funding gap that your council is facing. It’s bleak reading, but there is action that you can take to help your community.

First, we’re asking you to take a look here and see the difficulty facing your local council, and second, we’re asking you to contact your MP, MSP or Senned Member to ask them to support our calls for increased central government funding for local councils.

Your council needs you to stand up for the services we all rely on. When we stand together, we can make real change happen.

By us all reaching out to our local members of parliament, we make our demands impossible to ignore – only emergency funding now will save our services.

Find out what the situation is like where you live

The article Blog: How much trouble is your local council in? first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Blog: In the campaign for equal pay, UNISON stands firmly on the frontline

The pursuit of equal pay is part of UNISON’s daily battle against deeply entrenched biases and systemic inequalities. We’re driven by our commitment to break free of stereotypes that undervalue workers. And we are unrivalled in our successes.

You only have to look at the Glasgow equal pay victory to understand our strength.

We’ve won the most equal pay cases, we’ve won the most money for members, and we don’t take a cut from the payouts.

It’s a fundamental issue of fairness that every worker deserves equal pay for work of equal value. However, despite years of progress, many workers – and particularly those in low-paid jobs – continue to face a persistent and unjust pay gap.

The public service workers we represent are the backbone of our communities, providing support for everyone day in, day out. But they often find themselves on the wrong side of the pay scale, struggling to make ends meet and facing the harsh realities of income inequality.

As the first female leader of UNISON, the UK’s largest trade union with over one million women members, I’m compelled by the urgency of closing these unequal pay gaps. Not just for women public service workers, but for Black, LGBT+ and disabled workers, who face workplace discrimination that too often results in their work being undervalued.

UNISON works tirelessly across public services to negotiate fair wages, challenge discriminatory practices, raise awareness about the importance of equal pay and take legal action where needed.

But to achieve wage equality across the whole of our society, and to permanently close pay gaps, we need systemic change.

That means legislation that doesn’t let employers off the hook, workplace policies that promote pay transparency, the constant challenge of pay discrimination, and equal opportunities for disadvantaged groups to advance in their careers.

This shared aim shouldn’t just be about finally publishing a pay gap report that has the right figures in the right columns, it’s about the lives of countless workers who will get the pay and recognition they deserve.

If we succeed in making this permanent change, we will make sure that future generations can enter the workplace with the confidence that they will be treated fairly.

The article Blog: In the campaign for equal pay, UNISON stands firmly on the frontline first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Blog: In the campaign for equal pay, UNISON stands firmly on the frontline

The pursuit of equal pay is part of UNISON’s daily battle against deeply entrenched biases and systemic inequalities. We’re driven by our commitment to break free of stereotypes that undervalue workers. And we are unrivalled in our successes.

You only have to look at the Glasgow equal pay victory to understand our strength.

We’ve won the most equal pay cases, we’ve won the most money for members, and we don’t take a cut from the payouts.

It’s a fundamental issue of fairness that every worker deserves equal pay for work of equal value. However, despite years of progress, many workers – and particularly those in low-paid jobs – continue to face a persistent and unjust pay gap.

The public service workers we represent are the backbone of our communities, providing support for everyone day in, day out. But they often find themselves on the wrong side of the pay scale, struggling to make ends meet and facing the harsh realities of income inequality.

As the first female leader of UNISON, the UK’s largest trade union with over one million women members, I’m compelled by the urgency of closing these unequal pay gaps. Not just for women public service workers, but for Black, LGBT+ and disabled workers, who face workplace discrimination that too often results in their work being undervalued.

UNISON works tirelessly across public services to negotiate fair wages, challenge discriminatory practices, raise awareness about the importance of equal pay and take legal action where needed.

But to achieve wage equality across the whole of our society, and to permanently close pay gaps, we need systemic change.

That means legislation that doesn’t let employers off the hook, workplace policies that promote pay transparency, the constant challenge of pay discrimination, and equal opportunities for disadvantaged groups to advance in their careers.

This shared aim shouldn’t just be about finally publishing a pay gap report that has the right figures in the right columns, it’s about the lives of countless workers who will get the pay and recognition they deserve.

If we succeed in making this permanent change, we will make sure that future generations can enter the workplace with the confidence that they will be treated fairly.

The article Blog: In the campaign for equal pay, UNISON stands firmly on the frontline first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Government must invest in social care to drive the economy, says report     

A properly funded social care system would power growth, unlock jobs, boost business and save the NHS money, says a Future Social Care Coalition (FSCC) report published today (Monday).

The report, entitled Carenomics, lays bare how the fragmented and underfunded care sector, which currently has 152,000 job vacancies, is ‘stifling’ the economy and having a negative effect on the labour market.

The analysis warns that the government’s levelling up agenda and other measures to transform the UK cannot be achieved without substantial new investment in social care.

Carenomics uses extensive evidence to outline the economic case for putting more money into the care sector, which generated £51.5bn for the economy in England in 2021-22*.

The report says care staff are crucial to the UK labour force and economy. It calls for urgent intervention from ministers to attract and retain workers to an ‘overlooked’ sector that is bigger than electricity, water, and waste management.

At least four in five UK jobs pay more than those in social care. Official figures show that care staff with more than five years’ experience earn just 7p per hour more than colleagues who’ve been in the job for less than a year.

If investment in social care were boosted and more care workers recruited on better wages, it’s likely more people aged 50-64, currently unable to work because of caring responsibilities, could return to the labour market, says the report.

An increase of just 1% in the 50 to 64 age bracket in work could boost GDP by around £5.7bn per year, according to data in the Carenomics report.

Employment chances for disabled people would also improve if they had sufficient care support, says the report. Other benefits of investment in the care sector include a reduction in the carer’s allowance bill**.

Care worker Sam Thornton, who has been supporting people with learning disabilities for more than 30 years, said: “The job I do is as skilled as a nurse in a hospital but we’re not valued. The responsibilities we have are mind-blowing at times, people’s lives are in our hands.

“Social care has been in crisis for years. More investment is desperately needed to make the work more attractive to new staff.”

UNISON general secretary and joint FSCC chair Christina McAnea said: “A properly funded social care system should be the backbone of a thriving economy.

“But the government has allowed the sector to become underfunded and fragmented. It’s no wonder care staff are leaving for jobs where the pay and conditions are much better.

“More money for social care must be an urgent priority for the next government. This would take the pressure off an overstretched NHS, allow people caring for relatives to find jobs, help reduce social inequality and increase tax revenue for the exchequer.”

Notes to editors:
– *Economic research from Skills for Care calculated the sector contributed £51.5bn of economic activity in England in 2021/22.
– **The bill for carer’s allowance was £3.39bn in 2022/23, of which £3.36bn went to working age people (Source: Department for Work and Pensions)
– Click here to read Carenomics the report which will be handed in to 11 Downing Street, London SW1A 2AB on Monday 18 September at 3pm.
– The Future Social Care Coalition is an alliance of more than 80 organisations and individuals including private and other social care providers, charities and trade bodies, those who use social care, and unions.

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

The article Government must invest in social care to drive the economy, says report      first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Government must invest in social care to drive the economy, says report     

A properly funded social care system would power growth, unlock jobs, boost business and save the NHS money, says a Future Social Care Coalition (FSCC) report published today (Monday).

The report, entitled Carenomics, lays bare how the fragmented and underfunded care sector, which currently has 152,000 job vacancies, is ‘stifling’ the economy and having a negative effect on the labour market.

The analysis warns that the government’s levelling up agenda and other measures to transform the UK cannot be achieved without substantial new investment in social care.

Carenomics uses extensive evidence to outline the economic case for putting more money into the care sector, which generated £51.5bn for the economy in England in 2021-22*.

The report says care staff are crucial to the UK labour force and economy. It calls for urgent intervention from ministers to attract and retain workers to an ‘overlooked’ sector that is bigger than electricity, water, and waste management.

At least four in five UK jobs pay more than those in social care. Official figures show that care staff with more than five years’ experience earn just 7p per hour more than colleagues who’ve been in the job for less than a year.

If investment in social care were boosted and more care workers recruited on better wages, it’s likely more people aged 50-64, currently unable to work because of caring responsibilities, could return to the labour market, says the report.

An increase of just 1% in the 50 to 64 age bracket in work could boost GDP by around £5.7bn per year, according to data in the Carenomics report.

Employment chances for disabled people would also improve if they had sufficient care support, says the report. Other benefits of investment in the care sector include a reduction in the carer’s allowance bill**.

Care worker Sam Thornton, who has been supporting people with learning disabilities for more than 30 years, said: “The job I do is as skilled as a nurse in a hospital but we’re not valued. The responsibilities we have are mind-blowing at times, people’s lives are in our hands.

“Social care has been in crisis for years. More investment is desperately needed to make the work more attractive to new staff.”

UNISON general secretary and joint FSCC chair Christina McAnea said: “A properly funded social care system should be the backbone of a thriving economy.

“But the government has allowed the sector to become underfunded and fragmented. It’s no wonder care staff are leaving for jobs where the pay and conditions are much better.

“More money for social care must be an urgent priority for the next government. This would take the pressure off an overstretched NHS, allow people caring for relatives to find jobs, help reduce social inequality and increase tax revenue for the exchequer.”

Notes to editors:
– *Economic research from Skills for Care calculated the sector contributed £51.5bn of economic activity in England in 2021/22.
– **The bill for carer’s allowance was £3.39bn in 2022/23, of which £3.36bn went to working age people (Source: Department for Work and Pensions)
– Click here to read Carenomics the report which will be handed in to 11 Downing Street, London SW1A 2AB on Monday 18 September at 3pm.
– The Future Social Care Coalition is an alliance of more than 80 organisations and individuals including private and other social care providers, charities and trade bodies, those who use social care, and unions.

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

The article Government must invest in social care to drive the economy, says report      first appeared on the UNISON National site.

UNISON leads the debate at TUC gathering

As the UK’s largest union, UNISON played a big role in the TUC’s annual gathering of unions – the 155th TUC Congress in Liverpool.

General secretary Christina McAnea moved the composite motion on public services, attacking the Tories for years of austerity that have left public services reeling.

UNISON President Libby Nolan (pictured above) kicked off the debate on the COVID-19 inquiry, highlighting the importance of the inquiry for holding politicians to account.

And, ahead of Green UNISON Week, policy chair Tony Wright moved the composite on the environment, stressing the need for urgent action to tackle the climate emergency.

The union also featured prominently in debates on housing, the Minimum Service Levels legislation and key equality motions.

The debacle over the use of RAAC and the sudden closure of schools is only the most recent example of the desperate failings of the Conservative government.

The Congress was notable for the unity of purpose across the movement in striving to rid the country of 13 years of Tory mis-rule.

The UNISON delegation did express some concern at the content of a small number of motions on the Congress agenda.

For example, on HS2 while the broad goal of boosting economies in the Midlands and the North is one that a number of UNISON regions support, the disregard for communities affected by HS2 also needs to be acknowledged.

And where steel production is concerned, UNISON members were keen to highlight that we should not support its use for the production of weapons.

Congress witnessed a number of stirring speeches, not least from deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner who promised that the party would bring in a new bill to ban zero-hours contracts and repeal anti-strike laws within 100 days of a Labour government taking office.

As Christina McAnea highlighted in response, “Creating fairer workplaces with better job security for all will make the world of difference.”

The article UNISON leads the debate at TUC gathering first appeared on the UNISON National site.

UNISON leads the debate at TUC gathering

As the UK’s largest union, UNISON played a big role in the TUC’s annual gathering of unions – the 155th TUC Congress in Liverpool.

General secretary Christina McAnea moved the composite motion on public services, attacking the Tories for years of austerity that have left public services reeling.

UNISON President Libby Nolan (pictured above) kicked off the debate on the COVID-19 inquiry, highlighting the importance of the inquiry for holding politicians to account.

And, ahead of Green UNISON Week, policy chair Tony Wright moved the composite on the environment, stressing the need for urgent action to tackle the climate emergency.

The union also featured prominently in debates on housing, the Minimum Service Levels legislation and key equality motions.

The debacle over the use of RAAC and the sudden closure of schools is only the most recent example of the desperate failings of the Conservative government.

The Congress was notable for the unity of purpose across the movement in striving to rid the country of 13 years of Tory mis-rule.

The UNISON delegation did express some concern at the content of a small number of motions on the Congress agenda.

For example, on HS2 while the broad goal of boosting economies in the Midlands and the North is one that a number of UNISON regions support, the disregard for communities affected by HS2 also needs to be acknowledged.

And where steel production is concerned, UNISON members were keen to highlight that we should not support its use for the production of weapons.

Congress witnessed a number of stirring speeches, not least from deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner who promised that the party would bring in a new bill to ban zero-hours contracts and repeal anti-strike laws within 100 days of a Labour government taking office.

As Christina McAnea highlighted in response, “Creating fairer workplaces with better job security for all will make the world of difference.”

The article UNISON leads the debate at TUC gathering first appeared on the UNISON National site.