National media team
These numbers are for media use only, not for queries about membership or general enquiries about the union. If you email outside office hours, please do follow up with a call, text or WhatsApp message so you can be sure that we’ve seen.
Liz Chinchen E: press@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
Commenting on the white paper published today (Thursday) setting out the government’s Brexit plans, UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: “We might now have a white paper, but we’re still no clearer as to what a future outside Europe means for the employment rights that protect people at work, or for European citizens working here. […]
MPs and care workers are staging a protest today (Thursday) outside Haringey Civic Centre in Wood Green, calling on the council to do its bit to improve conditions for homecare staff across the borough. David Lammy and Catherine West are getting together with homecare workers to urge the London Borough of Haringey to sign and […]
Responding to the announcement that university applications for nursing and midwifery courses have fallen dramatically, UNISON head of health Christina McAnea said: “The government said replacing bursaries with loans would bring in an additional 10,000 nurses. Instead the exact opposite has happened. “With applications down nearly a quarter, ministers must accept they got this wrong […]
The government’s decision to demand a fee from anyone taking their employer to court was ill-judged, has failed to save the taxpayer money, and prevented thousands of badly treated workers from getting justice, says UNISON. The government’s long-awaited review of the impact of fees is published today (Tuesday), and shows a 70% drop in the […]
Responding to the National Audit Office report published today (Thursday) on NHS ambulance services, UNISON head of health Christina McAnea said: “Across the entire NHS, the picture is the same. There’s simply not enough money to cope with growing demand. “The lack of investment in social care means ambulance and other NHS emergency services are […]
NHS staff across the country are being asked to record nurse-to-patient ratios on their wards for UNISON’s sixth annual survey into safe staffing levels. The survey findings will provide a snapshot of conditions in hospitals for staff and patients over 24 hours on Tuesday 7 February. The NHS is currently facing unprecedented pressures and the […]
Commenting on today’s Article 50 ruling by the Supreme Court, UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: “The government has been thwarted in its plans to rush the UK into a hard Brexit. It’s now down to Parliament to ensure that the interests of ordinary people and their need for decent public services are at the […]
General secretary Dave Prentis launches new campaign in long-running dispute over 25% cuts
Responding to Theresa May’s speech on Brexit, UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: “People know we’re leaving Europe, but are worried about what Brexit means. “The Prime Minister says she wants to reassure people working in our public services and will protect employment rights that started out in Europe – but without the detail many […]
Organisations representing school staff, teachers and leaders – ATL, GMB, NAHT, NUT, UNISON and Unite – have updated the schoolcuts.org.uk website after publication of the government’s final National Funding Formula proposals to reflect the funding losses facing each school in England
Commenting on remarks made today (Wednesday) to the Commons Public Accounts Committee by NHS England Chief Executive Simon Stevens, UNISON head of health Christina McAnea said: “It’s quite clear from the evidence today that the government’s claim to have ‘protected’ the NHS is a sham. Theresa May and Jeremy Hunt need to start listening […]
UNISON is backing a campaign launched today (Wednesday) to prevent employment rights enjoyed by millions from being scrapped after Brexit. The union is supporting a new bill that aims to ensure protection for employees that has been introduced by the European Union (EU) – and enshrined in British law – is not watered down once […]
Christmas turkey, pigs-in-blankets and meat stuffing could become health hazards under moves to scrap independent abattoir inspectors employed by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), says UNISON today (Friday). More than three in five (62%) people would be less confident their festive meat treats would be safe to eat if this were to happen, according to […]
Responding to a TUC analysis published today (Friday) that found emergency service workers have suffered real pay cuts of up to £3,300 since 2011, UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: “Every year emergency service workers put their lives on hold so the rest of us can enjoy the festive season. “We know they are there […]
The increase in the number of violent assaults against health service employees in England – up by over a fifth in the last five years – is completely unacceptable and requires urgent government action, says UNISON today (Wednesday). New figures published by NHS Protect show that last year (2015-16) there were 70,555 violent incidents involving health workers, […]
