Local Government

Local goverment serves the peopleLocal 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.

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Latest updates

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

Council staff vote to accept two-year pay offer

Local government staff in Scotland have voted to accept Cosla’s two-year pay offer, says UNISON today (Monday). Members of Scotland’s ... Read More

Briefing 158 – Care Reform (Scotland) Bill passes

On 10 June, the Care Reform (Scotland) Bill was passed. This briefing gives an overview of its provisions. The Act ... Read More

More Local Government News

Latest local government briefings

Briefing 163 – Scottish Government Public Service Reform Strategy

thumbnail of Briefing 163 – Scotgov Public Service Reform Strategy
The Scottish Government have published their Public Service Reform Strategy. It outlines their intention to reduce the size of the ...

Briefing 160 – Children (Care, Care Experience & Services Planning) Bill: Call for Views

thumbnail of Briefing 160 Children (Care) Bill 2025
The Government has decided that some reforms recommended by the Independent Care Review for children & young people require legislation ...

Briefing 158 – Care Reform (Scotland) Bill passes

thumbnail of Briefing 158 Care Reform Bill June 2025
On 10 June, the Care Reform (Scotland) Bill was passed. This briefing gives an overview of its provisions. The Act ...

Briefing 157 – Care Management: Fit for purpose?

thumbnail of Briefing 157 Care Management June 2025
Care Management is the process for assessing individuals’ needs for social care services. It is integral to the social care ...

More on briefings page

Latest responses and submissions

Democracy Matters: Local governance Phase 2 consultation

thumbnail of FINAL Local Governance response Feb 2024
This is UNISON's response to the Scottish Government and COSLA  ‘Democracy Matters: Local governance Phase 2 consultation’. The consultation is ...

Additional Support for Learning (ASL)

thumbnail of ASL Consultation Response FINAL Dec 23
This is our response to the Education, Children and Young People Committee’s call for views on Additional Support for Learning ...

Consultation on a ‘Fairer Council Tax’

thumbnail of Fairer Council Tax Consultation Response Sept 23
This is the UNISON Scotland response to the Scottish Government and COSLA Consultation on a Fairer Council Tax. The proposals ...

Circular Economy Bill – response to Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

thumbnail of UNISON Response Circular Economy NetZET Cttee Aug23
This is UNISON’s submission to the Scottish Parliament Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee’s call for views as part of ...

More on responses page