UNISON vows to step up fight against wholly owned subsidiaries

Health members in Brighton today voiced their anger at the increasing practice of NHS trusts in England to set up wholly owned subsidiary companies to provide support services, and voted to fight their spread. The practice is widely regarded as backdoor privatisation of health services – putting at risk the pay and conditions of thousands of NHS staff, particularly low-paid women, Black and disabled workers. The importance of the issue was reflected in the fact that nine bodies contributed to the the composite motion being debated. One delegate argued that wholly owned subsidiary companies represented “the biggest threat of privatisation seen in a generation.” Trusts are exploiting a loophole in UK tax law to establish the new companies, arguing that the move will allow them to save money on VAT. While these companies are owned by the trusts, they are no longer part of the NHS and NHS staff are seeing their jobs outsourced to limited companies. UNISON is particularly concerned that most NHS trusts that have set up these companies have introduced non-Agenda for Change contracts for new starters, while denying them access to the NHS pension scheme. Adrian O’Malley of the service group executive told delegates: “This is yet another attack on lowest-paid staff. Another way of privatising services. Another way to bring in a two-tier workforce. “We have to send a message to any managers considering setting up these companies that we are 100% part of the NHS and will fig...
Source: UNISON Health and safety news - Category: Occupational Health Authors: Tags: Article News 2018 Health Conference fighting cuts and privatisation in the NHS health care wholly owned subsidiaries Source Type: news