National media team
These numbers are for media use only, not for queries about membership or general enquiries about the union.
Liz Chinchen is on duty for the weekend of 11/12 May. If you’ve already sent an email, please do follow up with a call, text or WhatsApp. Many thanks
Liz Chinchen E: l.chinchen@unison.co.uk M: 07778 158175
Fatima Ayad E: f.ayad@unison.co.uk M: 07508 080383
Anthony Barnes E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk M: 07834 864794
Crashing out of the EU in just over two weeks would be a disaster
Government failure in Commons defeat over PM’s EU deal still leaves huge uncertainty and catastrophic risks
The chancellor should use tomorrow’s spring statement to scrap the rules that penalise low-income families applying for universal credit and tax credits, says UNISON today (Tuesday). Any parents currently applying for universal credit only get help for the first two children, if their younger sons or daughters were born on or after 6 April 2017. […]
Changes made by the government since 2010 have hit hard-pressed families
Commenting on the government’s announcement about workers’ rights, UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: “Any guarantees about protecting existing and ensuring future employment rights must be in the Prime Minister’s withdrawal agreement. “Anything less, and the promises aren’t worth the paper they’re written on. “European laws have made working in the UK safer and better. […]
NAO report shows failures of privatised probation contracts
Living Wage Foundation data shows extent of low wages
Commenting on the government’s announcement of £24 million in additional interim funding for maintained nursery schools, UNISON head of education Jon Richards said: “This additional funding gives welcome breathing space, but nursery schools need long-term certainty, rather than stop-gap measures. “However, hundreds of council-run nurseries and children’s centres, often in deprived areas, are still facing […]
The proportion of police staff from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds (BME) employed by police forces in England and Wales has fallen dramatically, says UNISON research published today (Wednesday). There has been a drop of nearly a third in the proportion of BME police community support officers (PCSOs), according to an analysis of Home […]
Commenting on the annual NHS staff survey out today (Tuesday), UNISON head of health Sara Gorton said: “While the government is consumed with Brexit, ministers are paying scant attention to growing problems in our public services. With so few staff, it’s no wonder the pressures of working in the NHS are making so many health […]
UNISON, GMB and Napo write to Justice Secretary
Responding to health secretary Matt Hancock’s pledge to overhaul mental health and wellbeing for NHS staff, UNISON head of health Sara Gorton said today (Wednesday): “The mental health needs of staff should be a priority. They’re working long hours, in highly stressful conditions, often without a rest. “NHS workers can’t help patients get better unless […]
The health secretary must ensure government policy is in line with the NHS long-term plan and keep contracts worth millions in public hands, says UNISON today (Tuesday). Commenting on Labour’s call for Matt Hancock to block private companies from winning NHS contracts worth more than £128m that are currently out for tender, UNISON head of […]
Working people need a Labour government but split parties don’t win elections
