Having served as a social worker for many years, I have witnessed the deteriorating conditions facing public service employees under the current Labour government. Despite promises of improvement, our pay has consistently decreased while the cost of living continues to rise. Additionally, the essential services we dedicate our careers to have been systematically dismantled by policymakers, impacting our communities significantly.
Throughout my career in a local authority, I have observed firsthand the detrimental effects of budget cuts. Local authorities have been stripped of assets, with £15 billion being sold off since 2010. In Bolton, where I reside, the council’s funding has been reduced by over a quarter in the same period, directly affecting the lives of ordinary citizens who rely on these services.
Despite the rhetoric of national renewal, the Labour party has failed to reverse this trend. To truly represent the working class, Labour must govern in their best interest, prioritizing the majority over external influences like bond markets and business interests.
A crucial step towards improvement would be to provide public workers with inflation-proof pay rises and introduce legislation, such as the Employment Rights Bill 2.0, to ensure fair collective bargaining across sectors. As the elected UNISON general secretary, my primary focus will be on advocating for the working class and enhancing their conditions.
It is imperative for Labour to redirect funds towards public services rather than engage in unnecessary conflicts. By investing in essential services and industries, we can truly enhance people’s lives and address critical issues such as the rising cost of living.
As we enter a new year filled with hope and opportunities, it is disheartening to witness the unjust incarceration of individuals like Heba Muraisi, Teuta Hoxha, Kamran Ahmed, and Lewie Chiaramello due to their peaceful protests against injustices in Gaza. The government’s complicity in such actions must be condemned, and efforts should be made to rectify these injustices.
Labour’s commitment to prioritizing the welfare of the working class is crucial for societal progress and stability. By upholding the values of the union and representing the interests of its members, we can strive towards a more equitable and just society for all.
Recent events in Venezuela underscore the importance of condemning international violations and promoting peace. It is imperative for leaders like Starmer to denounce unlawful actions and distance themselves from such disregard for human rights and international law.
At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the “Do Not Sell or Share my Data” button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our <a data-testid="cipa-privacy-notice-link" href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/privacy-notice/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank