Vital local services are collapsing say council staff in UNISON survey

Local government spending cuts have left councils across the UK unable to meet the needs of local communities and, in some cases, are putting the public at risk, says UNISON today (Monday). A survey, released to coincide with the union’s local government conference, reveals that eight in ten (79%) council workers have no confidence in the future of local services, and half (50%) are thinking of leaving their jobs for less stressful work elsewhere. The survey – of 21,000 local government employees working across all services – reveals that two-thirds (67%) say residents don’t receive help and support when they need it, and more than half (54%) are not confident vulnerable residents are safe and cared for. Council staff who took part shared stories of families living in mouldy, overcrowded properties; fly-tipping being left for weeks; increasing rodent populations; residents’ cars damaged by huge potholes; and vulnerable children, young people and adults not getting the help and support they need. A recent National Audit Office* (NAO) report revealed that government funding for local authorities in England has fallen by an estimated 49% (in real terms) from 2010-11 to 2017-18. In UNISON’s survey, an overwhelming 83% admitted these cuts have had a negative impact on their ability to do the job as well as they can. While local authorities have protected spending on statutory service areas such as adult and children’s social care, the amount they spend on other areas...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Article austerity cuts dave prentis local authorities local government public services Source Type: news