Budget must safeguard services by boosting pay

Chancellor must invest in wages

Commenting on new TUC research suggesting public services face a workforce exodus, UNISON assistant general secretary Jon Richards said today (Tuesday):

“Decent public services are the bedrock of any society. But they can’t exist without people to run them.

“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to fathom that pay is key to keeping and attracting a motivated workforce.

“The government must invest in pay in the budget so schools, hospitals, town halls and care homes can better compete with wages in the private sector. That would help boost staffing levels for everyone’s benefit.”

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