Media centre

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 is on duty for most of the weekend of 20/21 April. Fatima Ayad will be on media duty on Sunday afternoon.

If you’ve already sent an email, please do follow up with a call, text or WhatsApp to ensure we’ve seen. Many thanks 

Liz Chinchen E: press@unison.co.uk M: 07778 158175
Fatima Ayad E: f.ayad@unison.co.uk M: 07508 080383

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Government must act as NHS student applications slump, says UNISON

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 […]

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The government should admit employment tribunal fees were a mistake and scrap them

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 […]

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UNISON responds to National Audit Office ambulance service report

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 […]

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UNISON launches sixth annual survey into NHS safe staffing

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 […]

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It’s down to Parliament to ensure Brexit is in the interests of ordinary people, says UNISON

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 […]

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Derby teaching assistants to take second consecutive week of strikes

General secretary Dave Prentis launches new campaign in long-running dispute over 25% cuts

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Brexit must mean real investment in public services says UNISON

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 […]

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‘Fair funding’ must also mean sufficient funding, say education unions

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

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Government’s claim to have ‘protected’ the NHS is a sham, says UNISON

  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 […]

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Right to paid holidays and parental leave under threat after Brexit, says UNISON

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 […]

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Toxic turkey risk over future of meat inspections, says UNISON

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 […]

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All emergency service workers want for Christmas is to be paid their worth

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 […]

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NHS staff should not have to work in fear of violent assault

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, […]

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Government refusing to take responsibility for social care crisis, says UNISON

Responding to today’s (Thursday) announcement by the government on social care funding, UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: “Government cuts to council budgets helped cause the crisis in social care. Yet rather than own up and take responsibility, ministers are simply passing the buck to local councils. “Social care needs a substantial injection of new […]

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Typical classroom scene where an audience of school children
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School funding cuts could deny children a decent future says UNISON

Responding to government plans to reform school funding UNISON head of education Jon Richards said: “Schools that are already underfunded will get much less than they’d hoped for. “Other highly rated schools in better resourced areas will see their budgets cut further still to fund those currently failing. “Good education doesn’t come cheap. Schools need […]

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