Received from: Unison
Congress is alarmed by the ongoing financial crisis facing local government. Over a decade of austerity has devastated vital services. One in four councils are at risk of financial failure by 2026/27, with many already cutting services and staff.
Local government workers have borne the brunt of these cuts, enduring job losses, real terms pay reductions and overwhelming workloads, while continuing to deliver essential services to communities, from social care and housing to education and public health.
Despite recent additional funding from the Westminster government, this falls short of addressing the £8.5bn gap councils face. Years of underinvestment have left authorities unable to meet demand, especially in areas with the highest levels of deprivation. Council tax rises cannot compensate for a broken funding model that punishes areas with the greatest need.
Congress believes a fair funding settlement for local government is essential to rebuild services and restore dignity to local government work. There is money in the economy – local government must be a political and economic priority.
Congress calls on the General Council to:
i. stress how pivotal councils are to helping deliver all aspects of the government’s Plan for Change
ii. support coordinated campaigning for urgent reinvestment in local government
iii. highlight the social and economic costs of cuts and the value of restoring council services
iv. press the UK and devolved governments to reform local authority funding
v. consider all appropriate campaigning tactics including industrial action to win a new settlement, including mobilisations that visibly demonstrate public support.
UNISON
AMENDMENT
Add new bullet after bullet v.:
“vi. call on the government invest and fully rebuild children’s services to support children and ensure families get the best start.”
NASUWT