‘We must do more to protect public services’

Scotland’s public services are living through a lost decade as a consequence of austerity economics – and we can do more to protect public services.



That is the message from UNISON as the  Scottish Parliament prepares to debate protecting public services today.

Ahead of the debate, UNISON Scotland produced a briefing to MSPs based on the union’s recent report, Austerity Economics Don’t Add Up.

It charts the impact that austerity economics is having on Scotland’s public services and the staff who deliver them. 



The union also has some common themes for MSPs from recent UNISON surveys of public service staff, including:

  • the impact of cuts on service delivery and on the most vulnerable in our communities – social care is a particular concern, with a race to the bottom in provision;
  • corners are being cut to give the impression that services are being maintained – whether that’s in food sampling, inspections, hospital cleaning or the time elderly people are allocated for basic care;
  • core infrastructure is collapsing while staff patch and mend – but sticking plasters won’t last forever;
  • preventative work is being abandoned as staff focus on the basic statutory functions;
  • staff are moved around to manage one crisis after another – ‘keeping the plates spinning’ is a very common comment from staff;
  • growing levels of stress and related health issues – a particular challenge for what is becoming an ageing workforce due to recruitment freezes;
  • thinner and flatter structures mean quite junior staff having to take decisions, without adequate support from more senior and experienced colleagues;
  • cuts in support staff and administration results in front-line staff having to spend more time on paperwork – exacerbated by outdated or inadequate IT systems;
  • increased aggression and violence from service users, frustrated by service cuts and delays.

“The overwhelming response from staff is that it’s bad now, but they believe it’s going to get worse,” comments UNISON Scotland head of bargaining and campaigns Dave Watson.

“This is happening at a time when public service wages have been slashed in real terms, placing significant personal pressures on staff.

“We urge MSPs to recognise that there is a better way.

“Of course the driving force for austerity comes from the UK coalition government, but Holyrood doesn’t always make good choices.

“What is needed is the political will to challenge the view that austerity is necessary and to put in place better policies that deliver for all our communities.”

UNISON Scotland

Austerity Economics Don’t Add Up [pdf]

UNISON Scotland: Public Works campaign

UNISON Million Voices campaign