Commenting on a new study from Glasgow University and the Glasgow Centre for Population Health suggesting UK government austerity policies contributed to a significant rise in excess deaths, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said today (Wednesday):
“Harsh spending cuts have cast a long, nasty shadow. Slashing budgets meant key public services were unprepared and understaffed when Covid came calling.
“The same mistakes cannot be made again. Austerity can never be a solution. It was a failed experiment that’s had terrible repercussions for communities across the UK and cost many lives.
“The Prime Minister must take heed, particularly as the pandemic inquiry opens. Cuts to public services cause irreparable damage to the nation’s health.”
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:
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk
