Democracy – fuelled by tea, biscuits and local government staff

Six weeks notice. Deliver a parliamentary election. No ifs, buts or maybes. Jacqui Andrews from Dorset Council explains the teams and the work underpinning our democracy

Behind the headlines, bigger picture, General Election 2024, Magazine on the Magazine site.

Government must help struggling councils urgently

Many are already on the brink financially

Ministers must fix council funding to avoid ​”catastrophic cuts”

At least £10bn needed to save essential services

Refuse and recycling top public priority for council spending

Poll reveals top public priorities for council services

Home health care worker and an elderly couple

Politicians must get a grip on social care and council services

Commenting on the Institute for Fiscal Studies report on council funding and tonight’s BBC1 Panorama programme on social care, UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: “After years of relentless cuts, council budgets are stripped to the bone. This is starkly illustrated by the perilous state of social care, not to mention a fall of more […]

Birmingham City Council cuts care workers’ hours at the expense of local people

More than 250 care workers are taking strike action in response to the City Council’s plans to dramatically cut their working hours

LGA survey shows social workers are struggling to cope

The government must give councils the cash they need to recruit more child protection staff and keep all children safe

Close up of balloons with the UNISON logo

Union gears up for a summer of campaigning

First meeting of new national executive council gets straight down to business

General secretary Dave Prentis with striking members and the Barnet UNISON banner outside The Library, in Barnet, north London

Barnet library workers on strike

Dave Prentis takes support and solidarity to north London picket line in strike over plans to outsource library service

Jobs and services at risk in Hull

UNISON branch warns about future of services as council seeks voluntary redundancies in face of government cuts

Council’s proposals to slash teaching assistants’ pay are disgraceful

When Durham councillors meet next week, they should think again about this senseless cut. And those councils currently considering similar action should do likewise. For our the sake of our communities, our schools – and our children.

UNISON wins equal pay settlement for Fife women

More than 1,400 women will benefit after settlement worth millions reached on claims

Trying to stop check-off for union subs ‘a silly and petty policy’

Trade Union Bill is “unfair, unnecessary and undemocratic,” says Doncaster mayor Ros Jones

UNISON welcomes Caerphilly motion on Trade Union Bill

Communities across Wales are uniting to oppose divisive attack on democracy says Cymru / Wales regional secretary