Embargo: 00.01hrs Friday 10 October 2025
More than 75,000 assaults on Scotland’s public service workers in past year, says UNISON
More than 200 assaults took place each day on public service workers as they carried out their duties over the past 12 months, new research from UNISON Scotland shows today (Friday).
The union collected Freedom of Information (FoI) data from local authorities, health boards, social landlords and other bodies delivering public services to compile its figures.
UNISON found a total of 75,411 incidents were reported in the year to March, a 15% rise from the previous year, with more than 9,500 additional incidents.
The figures highlight a concerning trend, says the union, with more than three in five (63%) of all the assaults involving local authority workers, particularly those in educational settings.
Nearly a quarter (24%) of the violent incidents involved staff working for health boards, with 18,579 incidents reported (up 1,700 in a year).
UNISON Scotland health and safety committee chair, Scott Donohoe said: “These figures are troubling. Violence at work remains a massive issue in public services across Scotland.
“No one should face verbal abuse or physical assault simply for doing their job. And yet thousands of workers are being attacked as they try to deliver vital community services.
“Staff are increasingly bearing the brunt of frustration from the public, often due to delays, staff shortages or services being cut altogether. For local councils, there’s a clear link between service cuts and rising violence.
“In the NHS, the workforce crisis is also a key factor.
“Employers and the Scottish Government must take urgent action to protect staff. That means fully recording every incident, following up appropriately and providing real support to workers affected.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the largest union representing workers in Scotland’s public services, including local government, the NHS, education, social care, utilities, police staff and energy.
– UNISON’s full 2025 Violence at Work report is available here.
Key findings:
– 75,411 violent incidents were reported in the year to 31 March 2025, an average of 206 per day.
– This marks a 15% increase compared to 2024 (an additional 9,536 incidents).
– 63% of all incidents involved local authority staff, mostly in education settings.
– Violent incidents in councils rose by 17% (an increase of 6,943)
– Health boards accounted for 24% of all incidents (18,579 total), up from 16,793 in 2024.
– 8 of the 12 categories of public bodies responding to the FoI request reported an increase in the incidents.
Media contacts:
Danny Phillips M: 07944664110 E: d.phillips@unison.co.uk
Trisha Hamilton M: 07943 507 307 E: t.hamilton@unison.co.uk