‘ Save local services before it ’s too late ’ says conference

Speakers at UNISON’s local government conference spoke passionately about the effects of cuts to essential public services and the need for action to save these services from decimation. “Nearly three million people used food banks last year, while the rich are getting richer. We need a government willing to tax the rich to fund public services. We need a party that is unashamedly for the working class,” said one delegate. According to UNISON research, councils across the UK are facing a funding shortfall of £3.2bn in 2023/24, rising to a cumulative funding gap of £5bn for 2024/25. Councils including Woking, Thurrock and Croydon have declared bankruptcy, while others are being forced to cut essential services such as children’s centres. The solution, delegates heard, is massive reinvestment in local government from the centre, along with a new, positive vision for local government that recognises the fantastic work done by public sector workers. As an example of the kind of campaigning work that can be done to help save local services, delegates from Brighton and Hove spoke about the Give It Back campaign, where UNISON is working with other unions as well as Green and Labour councillors, and local businesses, organisations and charities, to demand a reversal of cuts to local services. As part of the campaign, the organisers are making a series of gravestones representing services which have been cut, which they are planning to set up outside the Houses of Parliament...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Article News 2023 local government conference Source Type: news