This is a desperate day for public services that will have catastrophic consequences for Scotland’s communities, says UNISON 

UNISON comment on Scottish Government spending review 

Tracey Dalling, UNISON’s Scottish Secretary, said: “This is a desperate day for public services that will have catastrophic consequences for Scotland’s communities. Our public services have already been cut to the bone and are struggling to cope with the increased demands placed upon them.

“The pandemic has shown us who really are the essential workers. It’s the people who’ve looked after our elderly relatives, cared for our sick and dying in hospitals, the workers that deliver our housing, our education and social care, among others. It has shown that no society can survive without strong sustainable public services, or the dedication of the workers providing them.

“These cuts are not inevitable, they are a political choice by an out-of-touch Scottish Government. Public services are not a luxury; they are critical to Scotland’s health, safety and community cohesion and also vital to tackling poverty and promoting economic growth. The country is recovering from a pandemic and facing a cost of living crisis: this is the time to invest in our public services.”