Local Government is UNISON Scotland’s biggest service group. Its remit covers a range of employees including those of all of Scotland’s councils, Direct Labour and Direct Service Organisations, Trusts, Joint Boards, voluntary and related organisations and private companies.
For information on our pay campaign, industrial action and ballot – got to our campaigns page
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Catch up with the latest updates at Fighting for Scottish Council Workers
Catch up with the latest updates at Fighting for Scottish Council WorkersLatest updates
UNISON Scotland budget response: A budget that fails public services, says UNISON
UNISON's Scottish secretary Lilian Macer said: "Today’s Scottish budget does not go far enough to address the deepening crisis across ... Read More
West Dunbartonshire’s school learning assistants to be balloted for strike action in job grade dispute, says UNISON
School learning assistants who support pupils with profound needs in West Dunbartonshire are to take part in a strike ballot ... Read More
Briefing 168 – Population challenges for public services and the economy
This briefing looks at the implications of current and projected demographic change. It summarises recent publications from the Improvement Service ... Read More
Briefing 167 – Scottish Government Public Sector Reform Summit
On October 14th 2025 the Scottish Government held what they billed as a "Public Sector Reform Operational Summit" . The ... Read More
Briefing 165 – Scottish Government Fiscal Sustainability Delivery Plan
The Scottish Government has published it's Fiscal Sustainability Delivery Plan. The aim of the document is to provide some detail ... Read More
Briefing 164 – Scottish Government Medium-Term Financial Strategy
The Scottish Government have published their Medium-Term Financial Strategy. It outlines how they intend to approach public spending over the ... Read More
Briefing 163 – Scottish Government Public Service Reform Strategy
The Scottish Government have published their Public Service Reform Strategy. It outlines their intention to reduce the size of the ... Read More
Occupational therapists play a critical role in local social work teams, says UNISON
UNISON Scotland and the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) welcome that occupational therapists working in social work will be ... Read More
Briefing 160 – Children (Care, Care Experience & Services Planning) Bill: Call for Views
The Government has decided that some reforms recommended by the Independent Care Review for children & young people require legislation ... Read More
Red Book, local government terms and conditions 2025
This is the latest (April 2025) edition of the Single Status Agreement (commonly referred to as the ‘Red Book’). It ... Read More
More Local Government News
Latest local government briefings
UNISON Week 318 – UNISON ballots council workers on strike action, National Care Service Consultation and more.
UNISON Week 318 - UNISON ballots council workers on strike action, National Care Service Consultation and more. Read full newsletter ...
e-brief: National Care Service Consultation
The Scottish Government has published its proposals for a National Care Service. The three-month consultation period ends on 18 October ...
e-briefing Implementing The Promise
This e-briefing explains The Promise 'Change Programme' and includes four action points for local government branches. The Independent Care Review ...
FOI Briefing – Introducing FOI / Free Training / Scottish Public Information Forum
It is simple and straightforward for anyone to use their information rights and make a Freedom of Information (FOI) request ...
More on briefings page
Latest responses and submissions
Online response to SSSC fitness to practice proposed changes
1. The "fitness to practise" criteria is very vague and it is not clear to us what objective standards the ...
Integration of Care in Social Care in Social Care in Scotland
UNISON Scotland members have been involved in various proposals for the integration of health and care services since the late1990s ...
Consultation on the Children and Young People Bill
UNISON Scotland has supported the principles of Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) since its inception and we believe ...
Looked after children response
UNISON is Scotland’s largest trade union representing approximately 160,000 members working in the public sector. UNISON Scotland represents over 30,000 ...
More on responses page