Category: General election 2024

Christina McAnea leads applause for successful UNISON strikers

There’s power in the union – particularly if that union is UNISON. That was the message at the heart of a speech this morning from general secretary Christina McAnea to UNISON’s national health service group conference in Brighton.

“Look at all you’ve achieved in the past 12 months”, she told delegates.

“Forty-two re-banding deals done across England and Scotland in our Pay Fair for Patient Care campaign. £70 million in back pay – and rising.

“A huge strike in Northern Ireland that forced politicians back into the Northern Ireland Assembly to sort out public sector pay – that’s the power of UNISON.”

Ms McAnea added that the union had live disputes in the South East, Eastern, East Midlands, Northern, North West, South West and London regions, together with live campaigns in Yorkshire and Humberside, West Midlands and Cymru/Wales.

“Our demands and action get results. We are transforming lives … That’s the power of UNISON.”

The big election year

“The Tories can go into the general election with a proud record to stand on. Forty brand new hospitals, a valued and appreciated workforce, NHS pay rises beyond your wildest dreams,” the general secretary quipped, to laughter from delegates.

More seriously, Ms McAnea stressed the need to get the Conservatives out of government and for Labour to replace them.

“While the Tories break promises and let down our most vulnerable in our society, UNISON says we can do better.”

Pointing out that UNISON has been campaigning for a National Social Care service, she said: “Until we fix the crisis in social care, we cannot fix our broken NHS.

“And when a National Care Service has been created – and I do believe it will be – we can look back together and say, ‘we did that – we were part of that’.

And Ms McAnea stressed that the workforce of the NHS – and of a future National Care Service – “should be given decent pay for a day’s work”.

There are also elections taking place in UNISON. Ballots for the service group elections open on 22 April and Ms McAnea urged delegates not only to vote themselves, but to return to their workplaces and persuade their fellow members to vote too.

Celebrating the power of the union

Health conference giving a standing ovation to representatives of successful UNISON strikes, plus a live relay of a picket line in Middlesbrough

After a standing ovation, the union’s acting head of health, Helga Pile, introduced representatives of successful strikes in health from across the union as they came to the front of the hall to join Ms McAnea. They were joined live online from a picket line at James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough, as conference rose to applaud and celebrate the power of UNISON.

The article Christina McAnea leads applause for successful UNISON strikers first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Christina McAnea leads applause for successful UNISON strikers

There’s power in the union – particularly if that union is UNISON. That was the message at the heart of a speech this morning from general secretary Christina McAnea to UNISON’s national health service group conference in Brighton.

“Look at all you’ve achieved in the past 12 months”, she told delegates.

“Forty-two re-banding deals done across England and Scotland in our Pay Fair for Patient Care campaign. £70 million in back pay – and rising.

“A huge strike in Northern Ireland that forced politicians back into the Northern Ireland Assembly to sort out public sector pay – that’s the power of UNISON.”

Ms McAnea added that the union had live disputes in the South East, Eastern, East Midlands, Northern, North West, South West and London regions, together with live campaigns in Yorkshire and Humberside, West Midlands and Cymru/Wales.

“Our demands and action get results. We are transforming lives … That’s the power of UNISON.”

The big election year

“The Tories can go into the general election with a proud record to stand on. Forty brand new hospitals, a valued and appreciated workforce, NHS pay rises beyond your wildest dreams,” the general secretary quipped, to laughter from delegates.

More seriously, Ms McAnea stressed the need to get the Conservatives out of government and for Labour to replace them.

“While the Tories break promises and let down our most vulnerable in our society, UNISON says we can do better.”

Pointing out that UNISON has been campaigning for a National Social Care service, she said: “Until we fix the crisis in social care, we cannot fix our broken NHS.

“And when a National Care Service has been created – and I do believe it will be – we can look back together and say, ‘we did that – we were part of that’.

And Ms McAnea stressed that the workforce of the NHS – and of a future National Care Service – “should be given decent pay for a day’s work”.

There are also elections taking place in UNISON. Ballots for the service group elections open on 22 April and Ms McAnea urged delegates not only to vote themselves, but to return to their workplaces and persuade their fellow members to vote too.

Celebrating the power of the union

Health conference giving a standing ovation to representatives of successful UNISON strikes, plus a live relay of a picket line in Middlesbrough

After a standing ovation, the union’s acting head of health, Helga Pile, introduced representatives of successful strikes in health from across the union as they came to the front of the hall to join Ms McAnea. They were joined live online from a picket line at James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough, as conference rose to applaud and celebrate the power of UNISON.

The article Christina McAnea leads applause for successful UNISON strikers first appeared on the UNISON National site.

What does the budget really mean for you?

by Anna Birley from UNISON’s policy unit

While goings on in Westminster can feel a long way from normal day-to-day life, the decisions made at the budget by the chancellor have a huge impact on everybody’s work, household finances and the public services we all rely on.

This week’s budget was no different, so let’s break down what the budget means for you and the services you rely on, along with some helpful myth-busting on the way.

What’s happening with my taxes?

The biggest headline, which was trailed days before the formal announcement, was the 2p cut in National Insurance. At first glance, this seems positive – after all, National Insurance is a tax specifically on working people.

However, in practice, this small cut hides a much more troubling picture. At a cost of £10bn, this is a very expensive way to put money back into the pockets of higher income workers.

While the government suggests that it will be worth £450 for the average worker, what this actually means is just £34 back each year for low-income workers, compared to £424 a year for the richest households.

This means almost half of the £10bn spent will end up in the pockets of the richest 20% of households and only 3% will benefit the poorest 20%.

On top of this, other, stealth taxes – measures that were not mentioned in the chancellor’s budget speech but will have a huge impact on household budgets – are more than cancelling out the National Insurance cut.

The personal allowance threshold has been frozen, which means more and more low earners are being pulled into paying taxes, and which is increasing the level of tax that everyone pays, especially lower earners.

The big picture is that taxes haven’t been higher since the Second World War – so the National Insurance announcement is little more than a gimmick. More pain for working people, while the Conservatives play games to try and reverse their electoral misfortunes. On top of that, they cut capital gains taxes, which will benefit landlords and second-home owners, not workers.

Will the budget help grow the economy?

The chancellor claims that tax cuts are the route to growing the economy. But every time he tries this same trick, the economy continues to stagnate. He’s cut National Insurance once already, just a few months ago, in the autumn statement. The result? The UK entered into recession.

At UNISON, we know that tax cuts are not the route to economic growth. Instead, investment in public services is critical to a healthy economy.

People cannot return to work if they are too sick – and they won’t get better if the social care system is in tatters and NHS waiting lists remain so long. Good quality local services, from schools to councils, are the foundation blocks of economic growth.

What about public services?

Instead of investing in essential public services, the chancellor announced further cuts. Instead of investing in police staff to ensure the streets are safe, he announced drones. Instead of funding more nurses, he announced an IT system upgrade.

Public services are on their knees – as are the workers delivering them. Public service workers need a pay rise, not a chancellor telling them to work harder for less.

Is there anything to be positive about?

It’s not all bad news. The Conservatives, clearly out of ideas, stole a couple of good policies from Labour.

They finally decided to abolish the non-dom tax system which allowed people to keep their money overseas without paying taxes, and they extended the windfall tax on the big oil and gas companies that are continuing to profit from high energy bills while polluting the planet.

They also bowed to pressure to extend the Household Support Fund and raise the child benefit taper.

But there’s more to do – these stolen policies are a start, but there is a long way to go to creating a fairer economy.

The chancellor claimed that his party was the only party with a plan for the economy – but when the plan destroys services, keeps wages down and bills high, and pushes the economy into recession, while cutting taxes for the country’s higher earners, then it’s clear the plan isn’t working.

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.

The article What does the budget really mean for you? first appeared on the UNISON National site.

What does the budget really mean for you?

by Anna Birley from UNISON’s policy unit

While goings on in Westminster can feel a long way from normal day-to-day life, the decisions made at the budget by the chancellor have a huge impact on everybody’s work, household finances and the public services we all rely on.

This week’s budget was no different, so let’s break down what the budget means for you and the services you rely on, along with some helpful myth-busting on the way.

What’s happening with my taxes?

The biggest headline, which was trailed days before the formal announcement, was the 2p cut in National Insurance. At first glance, this seems positive – after all, National Insurance is a tax specifically on working people.

However, in practice, this small cut hides a much more troubling picture. At a cost of £10bn, this is a very expensive way to put money back into the pockets of higher income workers.

While the government suggests that it will be worth £450 for the average worker, what this actually means is just £34 back each year for low-income workers, compared to £424 a year for the richest households.

This means almost half of the £10bn spent will end up in the pockets of the richest 20% of households and only 3% will benefit the poorest 20%.

On top of this, other, stealth taxes – measures that were not mentioned in the chancellor’s budget speech but will have a huge impact on household budgets – are more than cancelling out the National Insurance cut.

The personal allowance threshold has been frozen, which means more and more low earners are being pulled into paying taxes, and which is increasing the level of tax that everyone pays, especially lower earners.

The big picture is that taxes haven’t been higher since the Second World War – so the National Insurance announcement is little more than a gimmick. More pain for working people, while the Conservatives play games to try and reverse their electoral misfortunes. On top of that, they cut capital gains taxes, which will benefit landlords and second-home owners, not workers.

Will the budget help grow the economy?

The chancellor claims that tax cuts are the route to growing the economy. But every time he tries this same trick, the economy continues to stagnate. He’s cut National Insurance once already, just a few months ago, in the autumn statement. The result? The UK entered into recession.

At UNISON, we know that tax cuts are not the route to economic growth. Instead, investment in public services is critical to a healthy economy.

People cannot return to work if they are too sick – and they won’t get better if the social care system is in tatters and NHS waiting lists remain so long. Good quality local services, from schools to councils, are the foundation blocks of economic growth.

What about public services?

Instead of investing in essential public services, the chancellor announced further cuts. Instead of investing in police staff to ensure the streets are safe, he announced drones. Instead of funding more nurses, he announced an IT system upgrade.

Public services are on their knees – as are the workers delivering them. Public service workers need a pay rise, not a chancellor telling them to work harder for less.

Is there anything to be positive about?

It’s not all bad news. The Conservatives, clearly out of ideas, stole a couple of good policies from Labour.

They finally decided to abolish the non-dom tax system which allowed people to keep their money overseas without paying taxes, and they extended the windfall tax on the big oil and gas companies that are continuing to profit from high energy bills while polluting the planet.

They also bowed to pressure to extend the Household Support Fund and raise the child benefit taper.

But there’s more to do – these stolen policies are a start, but there is a long way to go to creating a fairer economy.

The chancellor claimed that his party was the only party with a plan for the economy – but when the plan destroys services, keeps wages down and bills high, and pushes the economy into recession, while cutting taxes for the country’s higher earners, then it’s clear the plan isn’t working.

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.

The article What does the budget really mean for you? 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.

Prospective MPs urged to back new national care service

General election candidates from all parties are being asked to support the creation of a new national care service in England.

UNISON says too many people across the country cannot access the social care they desperately need because the current system is broken.

The union wants to see a new service based on high quality care and a fairly rewarded workforce. Although these changes wouldn’t happen overnight, the union believes the reforms would put an end to 15-minute home care visits, long waits for care packages, and low wages for staff.

A national care service would also mean the quality of care is of the same high standard, no matter where in the country it was being provided, says UNISON.

Wages would also be boosted with a new fair pay agreement, lifting care jobs off minimum wage rates and standardising salaries across England.

This would allow care companies to start filling the huge 152,000 vacancies hole in the sector’s workforce, says UNISON.

A national care service would also assist families trying to find out more about the level of care provision on offer locally. The union says that trying to navigate the current system to secure any kind of support can be confusing, complicated, and extremely stressful.

Labour has already pledged to create a national care service and a new fair pay agreement for care workers if the party forms the next government.

Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting was the first politician to show his support by signing UNISON’s pledge card for the service.

Now the union is calling on every candidate who has been selected to stand in English parliamentary seats at the next general election to sign up too.

UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said: “Social care is broken. The current fragmented and privatised system is unfit to meet the needs of everyone who needs support. But a better way is possible.

“Care workers are the beating heart of a system that should be able to look after everyone’s loved ones with compassion and kindness. But without the cash or sufficient staff, the sector is struggling to deliver, putting unbearable pressure on the NHS and families.

“If the country is to have a care service of which it can be truly proud, care workers must be valued, recognised and rewarded as the skilled professionals they are.

“That requires radical change. Too many families are suffering because they can’t access the support they need and because care isn’t seen as the priority it should be by the current government.

“It’s in everyone’s best interest, no matter how old they are, that England has a national care service. That’s why it’s so important for all the country’s parliamentary candidates to publicly pledge their support.”

Notes to editors: 
– Parliamentary candidates who sign up to the pledge card commit to backing a national care service that would improve the quality of care for all those who need it; support independent living and take a ‘home first’ approach; promote public sector and non-profit delivery of care services; introduce national partnership working by bringing together employers, unions and government; and implement a fair pay agreement in adult social care.
– Candidates are being encouraged to share photos with the pledge card and use the hashtag #LetsMakeCareWork on social media channels.
– 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:
Dan Ashley M: 07908 672893 E: d.ashley@unison.co.uk
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk

 

The article Prospective MPs urged to back new national care service first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Prospective MPs urged to back new national care service

General election candidates from all parties are being asked to support the creation of a new national care service in England.

UNISON says too many people across the country cannot access the social care they desperately need because the current system is broken.

The union wants to see a new service based on high quality care and a fairly rewarded workforce. Although these changes wouldn’t happen overnight, the union believes the reforms would put an end to 15-minute home care visits, long waits for care packages, and low wages for staff.

A national care service would also mean the quality of care is of the same high standard, no matter where in the country it was being provided, says UNISON.

Wages would also be boosted with a new fair pay agreement, lifting care jobs off minimum wage rates and standardising salaries across England.

This would allow care companies to start filling the huge 152,000 vacancies hole in the sector’s workforce, says UNISON.

A national care service would also assist families trying to find out more about the level of care provision on offer locally. The union says that trying to navigate the current system to secure any kind of support can be confusing, complicated, and extremely stressful.

Labour has already pledged to create a national care service and a new fair pay agreement for care workers if the party forms the next government.

Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting was the first politician to show his support by signing UNISON’s pledge card for the service.

Now the union is calling on every candidate who has been selected to stand in English parliamentary seats at the next general election to sign up too.

UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said: “Social care is broken. The current fragmented and privatised system is unfit to meet the needs of everyone who needs support. But a better way is possible.

“Care workers are the beating heart of a system that should be able to look after everyone’s loved ones with compassion and kindness. But without the cash or sufficient staff, the sector is struggling to deliver, putting unbearable pressure on the NHS and families.

“If the country is to have a care service of which it can be truly proud, care workers must be valued, recognised and rewarded as the skilled professionals they are.

“That requires radical change. Too many families are suffering because they can’t access the support they need and because care isn’t seen as the priority it should be by the current government.

“It’s in everyone’s best interest, no matter how old they are, that England has a national care service. That’s why it’s so important for all the country’s parliamentary candidates to publicly pledge their support.”

Notes to editors: 
– Parliamentary candidates who sign up to the pledge card commit to backing a national care service that would improve the quality of care for all those who need it; support independent living and take a ‘home first’ approach; promote public sector and non-profit delivery of care services; introduce national partnership working by bringing together employers, unions and government; and implement a fair pay agreement in adult social care.
– Candidates are being encouraged to share photos with the pledge card and use the hashtag #LetsMakeCareWork on social media channels.
– 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:
Dan Ashley M: 07908 672893 E: d.ashley@unison.co.uk
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk

 

The article Prospective MPs urged to back new national care service first appeared on the UNISON National site.