The public service data blog

Using data to tell the story of our changing public services

Are we running out of nurses? How many libraries in your area have shut down? Has your local police force grown or shrunk?

Many of the important questions about our public services can be answered by looking at data. On the public service data blog we’ll be tracking down the relevant spreadsheets, diving into the numbers and explaining what we find.

If you’re a UNISON activist campaigning around an issue, the public service data blog will arm you with the numbers you need to make your case and make change happen.

Got a topic you want us to explore? Get in touch. Because there’s power in numbers.

UNISON in large letters with public sector workers

A proud, strong and growing union

Hard work by our activists and stewards, branches, regions and staff is paying off – we grew again last year, for the second year running

Cuts … not just Brexit

The facts and figures showing what 10 years of Conservative government have meant for our public services

Our members’ experience of racism in the NHS

UNISON asked members in the health service for their experience of ‘unacceptable behaviour’, including their experience of racism in the workplace.

Building on the success of Grovember

As we go for some spring growth in May, what does the data from Grovember tell us? What useful lessons can we pick out from it?

Nice pay if you can get it

University vice chancellors’ pay has hit the headlines after the report on the subject from the new Office for Students – so we decided to take a deeper look at the figures behind the headlines.

Crossing the line – the worrying rise of the volunteer police force

More police forces are using more volunteers in more roles as they reduce the number of staff they employ – so UNISON asked forces in England and Wales to try and explain what is happening

cash

Wages, prices and bargaining

Money is getting tight – but what do the figures say about how much, or more accurately how little, our wages have kept pace with the costs we have to pay each week?

The English NHS pay deal – in six charts

A lot has been written about the NHS pay deal in England and what it will mean to individuals’ pay packets. But how does it affect staff at different stages of their career?

Drop in criminals facing court as police lack resources to investigate

The number of reported crimes ending with a suspect in court has dropped along with police staff, while the use of volunteers in the police force is on the rise

The future of our parks is not looking rosy

Spending on parks and green spaces has been slashed by £15 million

Firefighting, in more ways than one

There are many people in the fire service who play a vital but hidden role in saving lives

Just how much public service workers are spending on rent

In most parts of the UK, the price of renting a home has risen steadily, while public sector salaries… well, they haven’t. Find out how much NHS porters, nurses, PCSOs and more are spending on rent

Social workers are overworked but the data is hiding it

“Children and family social work has always been a challenging and busy field, however after 20 years I feel I can say that I have never seen things this bad.”

The shocking rise of TB in cows

New data shows bovine TB is on the rise in England, proving that independent meat inspectors are needed more than ever

Hospital parking: staff at some trusts paying 200 times more than others

Parking outside work is becoming more and more of a problem for NHS staff in England.