Scotland’s largest trade union will join with other public service unions tomorrow (Thursday) to call for an end to public service cuts.
The lobby takes place on the day the Scottish Government delivers its draft budget for 2017/18. Local government has taken the brunt of cuts in Scotland, with Scottish Government funding falling by £186m in real terms since 2010/11 – a real terms cut of 8.4 per cent.
UNISON says the cuts are unsustainable and is calling for councils to receive fair funding to deliver the services the people of Scotland rely on.
Mark Ferguson chair of UNISON local government committee said:
“These cuts are quite simply unsustainable. We are already seeing drastic cuts to services for disabled people, older people, education, youth services, school support, libraries, road repairs and this can not be allowed to continue.
“We all rely on the services delivered by local government. From childcare to care for our elderly and vulnerable; keeping our streets lit to emptying our bins; helping us to stay fit and our children to learn – local government is at the heart of Scottish society. Ensuring councils are properly resourced and capable of meeting the demands placed upon them must be a priority.
“This year alone has seen 7,000 jobs lost across local government and further cuts to services will have a devastating effect on our communities and the economy. We are calling on the Scottish Government to ensure they put people first and ensure fair funding for Scotland’s councils.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
• UNISON is joining other public sector trade unions in the lobby outside the Scottish Parliament on Thursday, December 15, at 10.30am.
• UNISON is Scotland’s largest public services union and the biggest union in local government.
For more information please contact:
• Mark Ferguson, chair of local government committee, 07773 342 570
• Dave Watson, UNISON’s Scottish Organiser, on 07958 122 409