Fourteen years of Conservative governments have left council finances in disarray, forcing them to make cuts to vital services, says the head of the UK’s largest union today (Sunday).
UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea was making the remarks earlier in a speech to open the union’s annual local government conference. The event takes place in Brighton today and tomorrow.
Christina McAnea told delegates: “Change can’t come soon enough. An increasing number of councils have issued section 114 notices – in effect, declaring bankruptcy.
“The government often claims this is down to local mismanagement, but ministers are brushing over the fact that councils of all political persuasions are struggling to balance their books.
“The government has systematically and deliberately underfunded councils for 14 years. It’s targeted lower-income Labour areas for the biggest cuts. So, it’s no surprise that places like Birmingham and Nottingham have been the worst hit.
“Recent UNISON analysis has found that children’s centre closures across England have devastated communities and left vulnerable families without access to vital education and health support.
“Similarly, huge cuts to youth services risk have created a “lost generation” of young people unable to access vital support at a crucial time in their lives.
“Despite this, council workers are doing everything they can to support the most vulnerable, educate children, and keep local communities safe and healthy. But the impact of these cuts can’t be reversed overnight.
“Local government needs more certainty, with longer-term funding settlements, so councils can plan for the future.
“The UK’s witnessed the biggest fall in living standards in generations. And recent local government pay awards haven’t been good enough.
“But bringing back the school support staff negotiating body would be a chance to finally get pay right for such a large and important group of workers.
“Union campaigns to ensure school buildings are safe and fit for purpose, and to fight for recognition of the growing threats and actual violence against school staff are critical.
“Too many staff are at risk of violence in schools. But just because some children don’t set out to be violent, it shouldn’t mean it becomes a part of the job. Everything can be risk assessed and steps taken to remove or minimise attacks as far as possible.
“When it comes to further education, it’s obvious how little ministers care about the sector. Not many Tories went to further education colleges, and not many of their children do either. But colleges are badly needed to help young people gain post-school training.
“This country needs a government that will listen to public sector workers’ concerns, and a government that will work with UNISON to improve services.
“If Labour gets elected, one of the first major domestic crises the new government will have to deal with is the fact that local authorities are on their knees.
“The essential services that keep society functioning are crumbling before our eyes.
“This country cannot afford five more years of plummeting living standards. Public services cannot afford five more years of neglect. And communities cannot afford five more years of decline and division.”
Notes to editors:
– Christina McAnea was speaking to delegates on the first day of UNISON’s two-day local government conference in Brighton. This will be followed by the union’s national conference taking place from tomorrow to Friday (17 to 21 June).
– 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 contact:
Fatima Ayad M: 07508 080383 E: f.ayad@unison.co.uk