Category: Jon Richards

New funding brings temporary relief to care but much more is needed, says UNISON

Responding to the government’s announcement of a £600m package for social care, UNISON assistant general secretary Jon Richards said: “A cash injection might offer temporary relief to the woefully underfunded and broken care sector, but it does nothing to address its huge problems.  

“Without a long-term plan to solve care’s staffing crisis, the sector will remain many thousands of employees short. 

“The government must work with councils, unions and care employers to establish the national standards and funding arrangements that are desperately needed.

“Only a national care service, that’s fully integrated with the NHS and properly resourced, will be able to focus on ensuring people receive the care they need.”

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 New funding brings temporary relief to care but much more is needed, says UNISON first appeared on the UNISON National site.

New funding brings temporary relief to care but much more is needed, says UNISON

Responding to the government’s announcement of a £600m package for social care, UNISON assistant general secretary Jon Richards said: “A cash injection might offer temporary relief to the woefully underfunded and broken care sector, but it does nothing to address its huge problems.  

“Without a long-term plan to solve care’s staffing crisis, the sector will remain many thousands of employees short. 

“The government must work with councils, unions and care employers to establish the national standards and funding arrangements that are desperately needed.

“Only a national care service, that’s fully integrated with the NHS and properly resourced, will be able to focus on ensuring people receive the care they need.”

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 New funding brings temporary relief to care but much more is needed, says UNISON first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Threat to block public sector pay rises proves government’s out of ideas, says UNISON

Commenting on reports today (Saturday) that ministers are considering rejecting the recommendations of several public sector pay review bodies, UNISON assistant general secretary Jon Richards said:
“In the last pay round, the government spent months hiding behind the NHS pay review body (PRB). Ridiculous claims ministers couldn’t intervene with the PRB led to strikes and much needless disruption to patients and services.
“For the prime minister to be pondering blocking the other pay review bodies is utterly farcical.
“It’s time to ditch this outmoded way of setting pay in essential services. Direct talks with unions, employers and ministers would be better for everyone.
“The Covid inquiry is hearing how investment-starved public services with too few staff were ill prepared for the pandemic.
“Pay is key to turning around the staffing emergency. And reckless talk like this will prompt even more essential workers to quit for pastures new.
“This is an out-of-touch, out-of-ideas government. The case for an early general election grows stronger by the day.”

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 Threat to block public sector pay rises proves government’s out of ideas, says UNISON first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Winter plan for Covid urgently needed, says UNISON

Commenting on the rise in Covid cases announced today (Friday), UNISON assistant general secretary Jon Richards said:

“Winter is coming and the virus is staging a comeback. Yet the government doesn’t appear to have a plan.

“Unless urgent action is taken, cases will surge and schools, hospitals, care homes and other key public services will be without the staff they need to function.

“Bringing back free testing is a must so people don’t unwittingly take the virus into work, school or the pub.

“A system of proper sick pay where everyone, no matter where they work, gets full pay when poorly is also long overdue.”

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 Winter plan for Covid urgently needed, says UNISON first appeared on the UNISON National site.