Come clean about school risks and invest to remedy problems

Commenting on the Public Accounts Committee report published today (Sunday) into the condition of school buildings, UNISON head of education Mike Short said:

“Ministers have continually failed to tackle or come clean about serious structural problems that have put pupil and staff safety at risk, as this report makes clear.

“Years of neglect and underfunding have worsened the situation, leaving some schools on the verge of collapse.

“With the autumn statement just days away, the chancellor must earmark the cash needed to ensure all school buildings are fit places to work and study.

“The government has to get a grip. A refurbishment and building programme is needed urgently to prevent further disruption to schooling and ensure no one’s put in danger.”

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
Fatima Ayad M: 07508 080383 E: f.ayad@unison.co.uk

The article Come clean about school risks and invest to remedy problems first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Come clean about school risks and invest to remedy problems

Commenting on the Public Accounts Committee report published today (Sunday) into the condition of school buildings, UNISON head of education Mike Short said:

“Ministers have continually failed to tackle or come clean about serious structural problems that have put pupil and staff safety at risk, as this report makes clear.

“Years of neglect and underfunding have worsened the situation, leaving some schools on the verge of collapse.

“With the autumn statement just days away, the chancellor must earmark the cash needed to ensure all school buildings are fit places to work and study.

“The government has to get a grip. A refurbishment and building programme is needed urgently to prevent further disruption to schooling and ensure no one’s put in danger.”

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
Fatima Ayad M: 07508 080383 E: f.ayad@unison.co.uk

The article Come clean about school risks and invest to remedy problems first appeared on the UNISON National site.

The cash crisis in councils is worsening by the day

Commenting on a new report from the Local Government Association published today (Friday), which suggests councils in England face a funding gap of £4bn over the next two years, UNISON head of local government Mike Short said:

“The cash crisis in local authorities is worsening by the day. That will mean even more cuts to services and further hardship for communities everywhere.

“Without significant extra funding from ministers for all councils urgently, many more will be on the brink of financial ruin. That will be a disaster.”

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 The cash crisis in councils is worsening by the day first appeared on the UNISON National site.

The cash crisis in councils is worsening by the day

Commenting on a new report from the Local Government Association published today (Friday), which suggests councils in England face a funding gap of £4bn over the next two years, UNISON head of local government Mike Short said:

“The cash crisis in local authorities is worsening by the day. That will mean even more cuts to services and further hardship for communities everywhere.

“Without significant extra funding from ministers for all councils urgently, many more will be on the brink of financial ruin. That will be a disaster.”

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 The cash crisis in councils is worsening by the day first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Ministers must come clean on the full scale of crumbly concrete

Commenting on the news today (Thursday) that another 40 schools and colleges have been identified by the Department for Education as having reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac), UNISON head of education Mike Short said:
“This will only add to the uncertainty and anxiety already being felt by pupils, parents and staff.

“Despite promises to keep all those with an interest in the state of schools updated on the extent of the dangerous crumbly concrete, ministers seem intent on keeping everyone in the dark.

“Instead of perpetual chaos, the government must get a grip. That means investigating each case properly, fixing any structures putting pupils and staff at risk, and giving schools clear guidance on what they should be doing.”

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 Ministers must come clean on the full scale of crumbly concrete first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Ministers must come clean on the full scale of crumbly concrete

Commenting on the news today (Thursday) that another 40 schools and colleges have been identified by the Department for Education as having reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac), UNISON head of education Mike Short said:
“This will only add to the uncertainty and anxiety already being felt by pupils, parents and staff.

“Despite promises to keep all those with an interest in the state of schools updated on the extent of the dangerous crumbly concrete, ministers seem intent on keeping everyone in the dark.

“Instead of perpetual chaos, the government must get a grip. That means investigating each case properly, fixing any structures putting pupils and staff at risk, and giving schools clear guidance on what they should be doing.”

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 Ministers must come clean on the full scale of crumbly concrete first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Details of crumbling schools must be published, says UNISON

Commenting on the Labour Party’s move today (Tuesday) to force the government to reveal details of the location and condition of school buildings at risk of collapse, UNISON head of education Mike Short said:

“The potentially dangerous state of some school buildings is a matter of urgent public interest. Parents, carers and staff should be told if any school buildings are on the brink of collapse.

“This is a disaster waiting to happen. By concealing the truth, ministers are failing in their duty of care to protect thousands of pupils and staff by exposing them to such threats.

“It’s high time they came clean about the state of disrepair in many schools. A recently announced increase in 2023 schools funding falls way short of what’s needed to make schools safe.”

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

The article Details of crumbling schools must be published, says UNISON first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Raise wage offer and prevent more university strikes, says UNISON

Support staff at 14 universities in England are being balloted from this week for industrial action over the “inadequate” pay offer from the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA), says UNISON today (Thursday).

Over the next five weeks, higher education workers including cleaners, IT technicians and library staff are to vote on whether to strike after the university employers put forward a wage rise that’s way below inflation, the union says.

The ballot of staff at universities in Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, London, Brighton, Bristol, Winchester and Luton began on Tuesday (4 April) and continues until Tuesday 9 May.

Those taking part in the vote are the University of Bedfordshire, University of Bristol, Liverpool Hope University, Liverpool John Moores University, University of Leeds, University of Liverpool, Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Sussex, University of the West of England and University of Winchester, as well as a number of University of London institutions: Birkbeck, Queen Mary, SOAS and Kings College London.

The 2023/24 pay offer falls far short of what staff deserve, says UNISON. It is worth between 5% and 8% depending on salary level, with lower paid workers getting the highest percentage rise. Some of this amount – around £83 per month before tax – began to be paid to staff in February to help staff with the increasing cost of living.

UNISON put the pay offer to higher education staff in February and their decision was to reject the amount.

UNISON head of education Mike Short said: “This is nowhere near enough. For years university support staff have received wage rises far below the cost of living.

“As bills and the cost of food continue to go through the roof, it’s essential that employers come up with much more than this inadequate sum.

“Staff are already leaving for better-paid jobs in supermarkets, warehouses and coffee shops. If universities don’t start paying more competitive wages, the sector risks a staffing crisis that would spell disaster for millions of students.”

Notes to editors:
– Details of how the 2023/24 pay offer will affect university support staff are available here.
– UNISON was in dispute with UCEA over the 2022/23 pay award and took strike action in 19 higher education institutions. This remains unresolved but as a result, UCEA offered to bring forward the start of pay negotiations for 2023-24 and pay part of this year’s wage rise early (from February).
– Talks are also ongoing between UNISON, other higher education unions and employers on a range of other issues. These include a review of salaries to better address low pay, reducing excessive workloads and the use of insecure contracts.
– 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 Raise wage offer and prevent more university strikes, says UNISON first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Food Standards Agency strike ballot could mean Christmas meat shortages, says UNISON

Staff at the Food Standards Agency (FSA) are being balloted for strike action that could affect meat supplies during the festive season, says UNISON today (Tuesday).

The dispute involving several hundred inspectors, vets, and office-based staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland could bring the industry to a halt, according to the union.

Earlier in the year, FSA staff voted to reject a pay offer of between 2% and 5%.

UNISON says this is significantly lower than inflation – currently 9.9% – and falls short of the 10% pay claim put forward by the union.

The ballot closes on 31 October. UNISON says this could result in strikes in the run up to and over Christmas leading to less meat on supermarket shelves.

UNISON head of local government Mike Short said: “FSA staff play a vital role in keeping contaminated meat off people’s plates.

“But many have to work in a difficult and unpleasant conditions inspecting carcasses for signs of disease.

“These employees protect consumers, ensure good animal welfare, and must be rewarded accordingly.

“The FSA needs to come up with a significantly higher offer to avoid any disruption.”

Notes to editors:
– The ballot of FSA employees opened on 10 October and closes on 31 October. FSA staff last went on strike over pay in 2014.
– 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 Food Standards Agency strike ballot could mean Christmas meat shortages, says UNISON first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Headteachers fear losing increasingly vital teaching assistants as cost-of-living pressures bite?s

Teaching assistants are still filling the gaps left by specialist staff ?during the pandemic and providing vital emotional support to students and parents, ?according to a UNISON-commissioned report ?published today (?Thursday).

From Covid to the Cost of Living provides a snapshot of the way ?Covid has fundamentally changed the role of teaching assistants, says UNISON.

The report also captures headteachers’ concerns that chronic low pay is driving more teaching assistants out of classrooms to better paid, less stressful jobs ?in other parts of the economy.

The report challenges Liz Truss’ government to do more to acknowledge, support, reward and ?train teaching assistants whose responsibilities and workloads have soared as schools struggle to help pupils catch-up in the wake of the pandemic, says UNISON.

?For the research, University of Portsmouth academics interviewed teaching assistants, teachers and school leaders at five primary schools in England. They found that teaching assistants were delivering a range of vital services and informal support to families, on top of their normal duties.

The report describes, for example, how teaching assistants regularly help parents complete benefit application forms, while others have helped set up food and clothing banks for families in financial difficulty.

Researchers also heard that teaching assistants calling parents during the pandemic to check how they were coping, were often greeted by distraught parents struggling with the stress of the lockdowns and isolation.

Teaching assistants took on specialist roles – such as delivering speech and language therapy – when expert staff couldn’t go into schools due to the lockdowns. Despite restrictions being scrapped, teaching assistants continue to carry out these roles, as demand for specialist staff outstripped supply when schools reopened.

The report also chart?s the devastating impact the cost-of-living crisis is having on teaching assistants and ?makes the ?case for staff to receive decent pay, says UNISON. ?

Support staff mentioned the high cost of fuel ?as a particular strain on their finances, ?to such an extent some said they could no longer afford to drive to work.

Headteachers are aware of the financial hit teaching assistants are taking and the impact ?on schools if staff continue to leave, says ?the report. One headteacher ?said they had been ?constantly advertising for teaching assistants since the start of the year but had only been able to fill one out of eight positions.

To halt the exodus of teaching assistants, the report recommends ministers take an urgent look at better rewarding teaching assistants, says UNISON.

The government must also invest in the workforce by creating opportunities for professional development that build on the skills staff already possess and the new responsibilities taken on since Covid struck, says the report.

UNISON head of education Mike Short said: “Teaching assistants stepped-up during the pandemic and repeatedly proved their worth, as they ?were doing long before the crisis struck.

“But chronic low pay is threatening to rob classrooms of dedicated, experienced staff, just when schools need them most.

“The report highlights the value headteachers place on teaching assistants, and the important role training ?p?lays in boosting skills, status and pay.” ?

University of Portsmouth researcher Dr Rob Webster, who co-authored the report with Dr Sophi?e Hall, said: “Schools are facing many challenges, but the consequence of the loss of teaching assistants is the most catastrophic.

“Without these staff, schools will struggle to provide adequate support to children with additional needs. Teachers’ workloads will also skyrocket, driving yet more from the profession and deterring others from joining.

“The report makes it clear that while there are things schools can do to boost staff morale, a properly funded effort to support and retain teaching assistants is urgently needed.”

Notes to editors:
– The full report, From Covid to the Cost of Living: The crises remaking the role of teaching assistants, can be read here.
– The report was commissioned by UNISON and conducted by the Education Research, Innovation and Consultancy Unit based at the University of Portsmouth between March and June 2022.
– 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.

 

The article Headteachers fear losing increasingly vital teaching assistants as cost-of-living pressures bite?s first appeared on the UNISON National site.