Commenting on the budget and spending review today (Wednesday) UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:
Pay
“Public sector workers won’t be raising many glasses to the chancellor. With no certainty pay will rise above inflation, services will go on shedding experienced staff.
“Only time will tell if the government’s public sector wage policy is thawing. Otherwise, the pay freeze ends in name only.
“Wage rises below the cost of living are effectively pay cuts and won’t reduce the 200,000-plus vacancies across the NHS and social care.
Public services
“World class services need proper funding, but for more than a decade they’ve been on life support.
“The chancellor’s merely giving back some of what Conservative governments have stolen. But demand for services is growing.
Councils and social care
“There’s next to nothing to deal with the social care emergency. Quality care won’t exist while the government continues to treat the sector as a bargain-basement service.
“Cash-strapped councils are unlikely to be popping the corks. Extra funds still won’t plug huge budget gaps and allow them to run the essential services communities need.”
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