#APD cut is lose, lose - for public services and for climate action

#WED2016 It is World Environment Day on Sunday 5 June. A good day for the Scottish Government to cancel plans to cut Air Passenger Duty.

UNISON Scotland today urged the Scottish Government to prioritise protecting public services by axing its plans to first cut APD by 50%, then eventually abolish the tax.

In our response to the Scottish Government consultation on APD, closing today, we argue that Ministers should be defending public services and working for social justice by opposing austerity and tackling inequalities. Climate change action is essential and should support these goals. 

Instead, this policy proposal would benefit the wealthiest, while increasing aviation emissions. A lose, lose proposal for Scottish public services and for protecting our world for future generations.

If Scotland is to meet its proudly proclaimed as world leading climate change targets, a cut to APD makes no sense. The Scottish Government should think again.

UNISON welcomes IPPR Scotland report ‘Scotland pay packets down 12% in real-terms since 2009’

IPPR report confirms UNISON’s view that falling real terms pay has had a considerable negative effect on the economy.

The IPPR report which is published today (23 March 2016) confirms that, pay in Scotland has fallen in real-terms by 12%, with private sector pay falling further than public sector pay. It also confirms that had pay risen in line with expectations, the Scottish economy would be £11.6bn larger than it is today

The analysis – which compares official Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) 2011 predictions with today’s reality – shows that while average pay for Scottish workers rose by 8 per cent between 2009 and 2015, this is offset by an increase in inflation of 20 per cent over the same period. This means real pay packets in Scotland are 12 per cent lower today than they were in 2009.

Chancellor's mirage of 'economic recovery' does not mask real world - UNISON on Autumn Statement

Thu 5 Dec 2013

UNISON today branded the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement talking up the economic recovery as a “mirage”.  The picture he paints is not being felt by ordinary working people across most of the country, the union said.

UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, said:

“The Chancellor can produce this mirage of an economic recovery and massage the figures as much as he wants, but it doesn’t mask what is being felt in the real world.  Prices have risen faster than wages for 40 out of the 41 months in the past years.  Average earnings are ?1600 lower in real terms than when they came to power.  There has been a massive explosion in the number of people forced to work part-time, on zero hours’ contracts and stuck on low pay.

“Raising the state pension age is cruel and unnecessary. It may be ok for the better off to work until they are 70 because they will have some years to enjoy their retirement.  But for millions, they will never see their pension because they will die before that age. 

“But does anyone seriously expect a 70-year old paramedic or nurse attending them in a medical emergency.  And should we expect people who sweep our streets, clean our hospitals and schools to carry on doing those jobs?

“The fact is the Chancellor is rushing into saving money for today’s Government, but putting future generations at risk.  Not all actuaries agree that we are all living longer so there should be a proper, evidence-based enquiry before any rash decisions are made.  What about the quality of  people’s life in retirement as well as the quantity?”

The union also called for the cuts juggernaut to stop,pointing out that unless people had money to spend in their local shops andbusinesses, tax cuts wouldn’t do them any good. Dave Prentis added:

“Many millions of workers have had their pay frozen for the past three years -  a pay cut of up to 15% - while those at the top still get their huge pay, perks and  bonuses.

“Local government is almost on its knees – and I know somecouncils may have to stop delivering services.  And make no mistake these services are important.”

ends

UNISON UK news release: http://www.unison.org.uk/news/autumn-statement

Unemployment figures - UNISON reaction

Wed 14 August 2013

“Today’s small drop in unemployment rates masks the damaging growth of under-employment plaguing the country and stifling economic recovery”, warned Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON today.

Mr Prentis went on to say: “A toxic combination of a part-time, minimum wage, zero-hours working is spreading across the country, as decently paid, full-time opportunities become increasingly rare.

UNEMPLOYMENT – UNISON & STUC RESPONSES

Commenting on the unemployment figures, which show that long-term unemployment has reached a 17-year high, Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said:

“Every job lost is a personal tragedy and the government has to do more to tackle the persistent jobs crisis.

"Stopping the slew of job losses from the public sector and giving Britain a pay rise to get people spending is what our economy needs to recover.”

ENDS
 

Regional unemployment between March and May

No UNISON member is handing back a knighthood - #YestoFairPay

UNISON Scotland can confirm today that no members of the public service union will be handing back a knighthood.

The union confirmed that, unlike James Crosby, former chief executive of HBOS, none of the union's 160,000 members who work delivering public services across Scotland will be the subject of a meeting of the Honours Forfeiture Committee.

A spokesperson for UNISON Scotland said:

“Whatever embarrassment the disgraced banker now known as Mister Crosby might be feeling will, we are sure, be eased by the fact that he still has a yearly pension of £406,000.

UNISON and STUC on Call Kaye about the falling value of wages #YestoFairPay

12 June 2013

The BBC Scotland Call Kaye programme had contributions today from UNISON's Dave Watson and Dave Moxham, from the STUC.

The subject was the falling value of wages, something Dave Watson blogged on yesterday.

The full programme is online here, with the start of this topic just after 3 minutes in.

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b02117ds

#YestoFairPay day of action today - new pay analysis shows importance to economy

11 June 2013

Today UNISON local government branches across Scotland are organising workplace events and action campaigning for Fair Pay. (Resources and info here)

Dave Watson, UNISON's Head of Bargaining and Campaigns, has blogged on today's new TUC research showing billions lost to the economy because of the falling value of pay.

".....Council workers are the lowest paid group of public service staff. We know that low paid workers will spend much of their fair pay and Living Wage in their own communities – building the local economy. A study by APSE on the Economic Footprint of Local Services estimates that local government employees re-spend 52.5p of every pound in their pay locally. A similar study in Stoke put the figure at 63p.

Pay freezes are driving down living standards, while the rich get richer

15 May 2013

 

Public services union UNISON today released a report showing how pay freezes are contributing to sharply declining living standards for workers in vital services.

UNISON contrasted the increasing wealth of the richest with the “triple whammy” of frozen pay, inflation and tax and benefit changes affecting ordinary families.

Dave Watson, Head of Bargaining and Campaigns, said the impact is “bad for families, bad for services and bad for the economy.”

He added: “Any serious economic recovery will involve boosting demand, partly by providing fair pay settlements for workers in public services.”

Stephanie Herd, chair of the union’s Local Government Committee, said: “Council workers across Scotland have in effect had their pay cut through the pay freeze. This report confirms just how much of a hit they are taking. It shows why the current local government pay offer is not enough and has been rejected by our members.

“We need an end to the pay freeze and fair pay for workers, who we know will spend their money locally, boosting the economy in the process.”

She added that only the implementation of Living Wage policies across much of the public sector in Scotland has offered any respite to workers hit by the assault on their living standards.

On pay, median gross weekly pay in Scotland in 2007 was £360.20. This had risen to £396.10 by 2012. If it had increased in line with inflation, it would be £423.22 by 2012. A worker earning median pay (exactly halfway along the income distribution – half earning more, half earning less), is therefore 6.4% or £27.12 a week and £1410.24 a year worse off.

Inflation as it is experienced by lower paid workers is higher than indexed levels and hurts more. Inescapable essential expenditure items like food, fuel and transport have all risen far higher than the CPI in recent years.

Meanwhile the combined impact of tax and benefit changes will mean a 1% drop in income for the bottom 30% of households and 2% for households with one earner and two children.

In sharp contrast the wealthiest, as measured by the Sunday Times Rich List, recorded rises in wealth of 18%, 4.7% and 8.7%, very comfortably above inflation for each of the last three years. Their collective wealth is nearly £450 billion, more than three times the UK deficit.

Dave Watson UNISON Head of Bargaining and Campaigns said: “These figures confirm what our members know from their pockets and purses - wages aren’t going as far they used to.

“While our members struggle to provide services with ever fewer resources and then to pay their bills when they get home, those at the very top are getting richer and richer.”

 

Notes to editors:

1. UNISON is Scotland’s largest trade union representing 160,000 members working in the public sector in Scotland.

2. Full figures are in the new ‘ Briefing on Wages, Inflation and Inequality’, online at  www.unison-scotland.org.uk/briefings/b034_BargainingBrief_WagesInflation+Inequality_May2013.pdf

 

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Queen's speech - UNISON reaction

Wed 8 May 2013

QUEEN’S SPEECH – UNISON REACTION

UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, said:

“There is little comfort in this programme for the young, the unemployed, the working poor, the sick, the vulnerable or the millions who have seen their living standards fall drastically since this coalition government came to power.

“It’s a typical Tory tactic to distract attention from the real problems we face by fostering a ‘blame immigrants’ culture, instead of tackling the huge divide between the rich and the poor.

“This government should face facts and accept that its policies are not working for the majority of people. What we need is a programme that will boost growth and create jobs not one that boosts insecurity and fear and creates division.”



More UNISON UK news here:
http://www.unison.org.uk/news/



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Triple dip recession looming - UNISON

Commenting on figures from the Office of National Statistics confirming that the economy contracted by 0.3% at the end of 2012, Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON, said:

“Most rational people try something different if what they are doing is simply not working. Osborne is defying rationality by sticking to his failing plan A – a plan that is clearly damaging the economy and driving the country to the brink of a triple dip recession.

“Instead of blaming the weather, he should look in the mirror.   The country needs a credible plan for growth and that means calling a halt to cuts in public services and public service jobs.  

“When jobs are under threat and when millions of public service workers have suffered a pay freeze followed by a pay squeeze, the economy starts to flat line. That’s because people do not have the money to spend in their local shops, cafes or businesses and the high street and local economy is hit hard.”

Ends

UNISON UK News release:
http://www.unison.org.uk/asppresspack/pressrelease_view.asp?id=3019

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Innovative pensions fund plan for new social housing in Scotland

25 March 2013

 

UNISON today launched a proposal to use Scottish council pension funds to invest in much needed affordable social housing.

Preliminary discussions with housing associations have shown keen interest in the plan which could potentially unlock many millions of pounds for building new homes.

UNISON’s head of bargaining and campaigns Dave Watson will set out the innovative proposal at the Scottish Federation of Housing Association (SFHA) Development and Investment Conference in Crieff today. (Monday)

He said that at a time of tight public finances, with £11 billion of Scottish Local Government Pension Fund (LGPS) assets currently invested overseas, it makes sense to switch investment to socially useful projects like housing.

Dave added: “Scotland is crying out for new social homes. Shelter Scotland estimates we need 10,000 every year but last year only 4,295 were completed.

“The housing crisis is also set to get worse with welfare reform changes, including the bedroom tax, direct payment of housing benefit and other cuts affecting our most vulnerable families.

“The LGPS currently invests a massive 45% of its £24 billion funds in overseas equities.

“We believe that scheme members, many of whom are UNISON members, want to see money invested ethically and to benefit local communities.

“Pension funds invest in arms and tobacco companies. We are sure public sector workers would much prefer their money being used to build new homes. Many of our members find it difficult to access housing in the current property market.”

UNISON Scotland is involved in discussions about developing one or two initial projects to test the idea with one or more local authority pension funds.

Dave said: “Housing associations have always represented a very low risk to lenders. Public finances are under pressure. Commercial borrowing is difficult.

“We believe that this is stable, long term investment with a very low risk of failure. If we have success with initial projects it could potentially lead to many millions of pounds for housing at a time when it is desperately needed.”

ENDS

Notes for editors:

1. UNISON is Scotland’s largest trade union representing 160,000 members working mainly in the public sector in Scotland and represents a range of staff delivering important services in housing.

2. The proposal is online at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/housing/FundingAndBuildingTheHomesScotland
Needs_Mar2013.pdf

3. The Future Homes Commission argued last year that Britain needs a revolution in the scale, quality and funding of home building, recommending a kick-start from an independent Local Housing Development Fund, financed and owned by local authority pension funds.

4. Richard Murphy, of Tax Research, said: “At a time when conventional pension fund investment policy is simply guaranteed to lose people money in the UK because of inept management, market corruption and excessive charges why aren’t pension funds being invested in things that we really need, like housing, where the payback over a period of, say, 25 years is exactly the sort of return a pension fund needs?" http://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2012/11/02/the-time-for-pension-funds-to-invest-directly-in-regeneration-and-housing-has-arrived/ 

 

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Fear of triple dip recession close to reality - UNISON

12 March 2013

Commenting on the news that the UK economy contracted further than expected at the end of 2012 Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON, said:

“Last week even the Office for Budget Responsibility – set up by this Coalition Government - confirmed that Cameron’s cuts agenda was holding back economic growth. 

“Today’s figures continue to demonstrate that the Prime Minister must put the interests of the country first and initiate a programme of public spending to get the economy working again and avoid a triple-dip recession made in Downing Street.

“Next week’s Budget should be used to outline a bold strategy for jobs and growth. We know that public service jobs have been cut too far too fast – lift the threat of unemployment and people will start buying again – boosting manufacturing. Give public sector workers a decent pay rise and more money will flow through to local shops and businesses, helping our beleaguered high streets.

Ends

UNISON UK news release

http://www.unison.org.uk/asppresspack/pressrelease_view.asp?id=2994

 

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UNISON General Secretary in Stornoway visit to support case against cuts

Wed 20 Feb 2013

Dave Prentis, General Secretary of the UK’s largest public sector union, UNISON, will tomorrow (21 February, 2013), join members in Stornoway to add his voice to their opposition to spending cuts and job losses.

He will be attending and speaking at the union’s Western Isles local government branch AGM, scheduled to start at 3pm.  Over the past two years, 200 jobs have been cut and more are on the cards as a result of the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council) budget for 2013-15.

He will be urging the Comhairle to do all in its power to protect jobs and services.

Dave Prentis will say:

“The Western Isles rely heavily on the public sector for employment, for services and for maintaining the health of the local economy.  More job cuts will simply add to the misery of families affected and will do nothing to assist the economy.

“People out of work have no money to spend in the local shops and businesses, and the economy suffers as a result. All the evidence shows that there are few private sector jobs out there, apart from those that are part-time and low paid.

“This is not the time to cut jobs and the services that people need to help them through these tough times.

“UNISON will continue to fight spending cuts and make the case for real investment in real jobs to give us the real growth families so desperately need.”

Dave Prentis will also call on the Comhairle to join the growing band of Living Wage employers.

The Scottish Living Wage is currently set at £7.45 an hour.

ends

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Unemployment figures - UNISON response

Wed 20 Feb 2013

Commenting on the unemployment figures released today, Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said: 
“These figures appear to show some relief after years of economic stagnation, but it is just an illusion. Real wages are continuing to fall, and youth unemployment is still rising. It is telling that more than 4 million people are now classed as self employed. If there are enough jobs to go around, why did 1,700 people apply for just 8 jobs at Costa Coffee?

“We will not experience a real recovery until people have more money to spend. For this to happen, the government has to take action to boost the number of full time, fairly paid jobs that are available. The Coalition’s failure to act makes the chances of a catastrophic triple-dip recession a near-certainty.”

ENDS

Regional unemployment between October and December;

Region                Total unemployed   Change on quarter      Unemployment rate

North East            125,000             minus 2,000            9.7%

North West            295,000              plus 2,000            8.5%

Yorkshire/Humber      245,000             minus 1,000            8.9%

East Midlands         178,000             minus 1,000            7.7%

West Midlands         238,000              plus 3,000            8.6%

East of England       212,000               no change            6.8%

London                362,000            minus 10,000            8.4%

South East            295,000              plus 6,000            6.5%

South West            150,000             minus 6,000            5.5%

Wales                 127,000              plus 6,000            8.6%

Scotland              206,000            minus 13,000            7.7%

Northern Ireland       68,000              plus 1,000            7.8%

UNISON UK news release:
http://www.unison.org.uk/asppresspack/pressrelease_view.asp?id=2970

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UNISON on unemployment figures: government still failing to stimulate economy

Wed 23 Jan 2013

Commenting on the small drop in unemployment, UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, said:

“Any fall must be welcome but progress is still painfully slow for the 2.49m people still desperately looking for a job. The number of high street names going into liquidation shows there is no room for complacency. And only yesterday the Government announced more than 5,000 cuts to army personnel.

“We know that many thousands of public sector workers jobs are under threat as council budget cuts mean that elderly care centres, nurseries, swimming pools and other valued services face the axe.

“The Government is failing to stimulate the economy which is a vital ingredient to creating significant, long-tem, full-time jobs."

ends

UNISON UK news release:
http://www.unison.org.uk/asppresspack/pressrelease_view.asp?id=2940

More pain to come for families - UNISON on RPI

Tue 15 Jan 2013
 UNISON said that families were facing winter fuel misery as the government announced an increase in the Retail Prices Index.

For families struggling to heat their homes in the face of massive price hikes and freezing weather, there was more pain to come, the union warned.

UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said:“It’s time for the government to get a grip; the reality is that families are struggling to heat their homes and put food on the table.

“There is yet more misery to come, as the freezing weather starts to bite, fuel bills continue to rise, and wages remain stagnant.

“It’s time for the government to act; unscrupulous pay-day loan companies are filling the gap that has been created by high unemployment, the public sector pay freeze, and soaring fuel costs.

“Inflation still remains well above the government’s 2% target, placing enormous pressure on the finances of low and middle income households. Austerity isn’t working, and a plan of real growth is needed to help families bridge the gap between their incomes and the soaring cost of living.”

ENDS

UNISON UK News Release:
http://www.unison.org.uk/news/news_view.asp?did=8295


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Autumn Statement: this is the road to disaster, more austerity is not the answer

George Osborne’s Autumn Statement is yet more evidence that austerity is hurting but has no chance of working, UNISON Scottish Secretary Mike Kirby said today.

Mike Kirby said: “The Chancellor stood up today and told us we were on the right track, and that turning back would be a disaster. The truth – as shown by his record of multiple recession, mass unemployment and a massive attack on public services – is that the ConDem austerity plan has already been a disaster.

“Promising still more austerity is not the answer to our growing economic and social problems. It is pure and dangerous ideological malice.

“The cuts George Osborne continues to impose hurt people who depend on public services and set back our economic recovery. 

“Half a million jobs have already been lost in the public services - 30,000 in Scotland - since the economic crisis began. And another 250,000 more are under threat - as we’re still only a quarter of the way through the government’s austerity measures.

“He says he’s ending the public sector pay freeze – but wages have dived far below the freezing point and public service workers are being frozen out from real pay rises for years into the future. The pensions tax of 3% which faces many of our members adds an extra burden.

“The Chancellor said we are all in this together, he said he’d make sure the rich would pay their fair share – then handed out a tax break to the rich, and cut the rate of corporation tax even further.

“In short this is the wrong budget for the wrong time.”

Mike Kirby added: “The ‘extra’ which Scotland is promised isn’t quite as generous as it looks. It doesn’t go anywhere near making up for Scotland’s declining budget – cut as a result of the Chancellor’s disastrous austerity plan.

“However it does give the Scottish government some limited choices. We believe preventative spending is likely to be better for the economy, jobs and public services both in the short and long term than the much hyped ‘shovel ready’ projects which Alex Salmond has said are the only way to get the economy moving."

ENDS

Note for editors

UNISON has identified billions of pounds that could be used to provide an alternative to drastic public spending cuts that have vandalised our public services, devastated communities and laid waste to our economy. 

This funding would help save services, put people back to work, increase the taxes paid to the Treasury, boost consumer spending power and reduce unnecessary spending on benefits.

Sources of funding  could include the £34.8bn cash surplus built up by the Bank of England

now being returned to the Treasury (£11bn in 2012/13 and £23.8bn in 2013/14)

A further £10bn could be raised by tackling aggressive tax avoidance schemes – and even more could be raised by making multinationals pay their fair share.

For more information on UNISON’s policies to defend our public services please go to

www.unison-scotland.org.uk

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Autumn statement: UNISON - Dave Prentis reaction

5 Dec 2012

Commenting on Chancellor George Osborne’s, autumn statement, Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON, said:

“Today’s statement is more proof that the Chancellor neither knows nor cares about what ordinary working people in this country are going through. The austerity agenda means that families across the country have even less to spend on everyday essentials, while tax winners at the top have more. Raising personal tax allowances is small beer for families facing rising food and energy bills.

“The budget in March was certainly not the Chancellor’s finest hour and the statement today will do nothing to restore confidence in his ability to drag the country back into growth. It is time to give the economy an adrenalin shot. The Chancellor’s plans are simply not working, his economic policies are in tatters - debt is rising, growth is flat lining and unemployment is still unacceptably high.

“We heard nothing today that showed the Government is prepared to face the challenge head on and invest substantially in infrastructure, in building much needed homes, and putting money into people’s pockets to get them spending and boosting the economy.”

UNISON UK news releases are here

UNISON Scotland's reaction to the autumn statement will be posted here shortly.

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Growth (GDP) figures - UNISON response

Thu 25 October 2012

Commenting on the growth figures of 1% Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said:

“These figures are deceptive. Our economy is still scraping along the bottom. Much of this growth can be attributed to the Olympics effect.

“Thousands of families struggling with unemployment or frozen pay that has plunged them into poverty are still feeling the cold winds of recession. With prices high, job insecurity rife and Christmas just around the corner, for many hardworking people this still feels like an economic depression made in Downing Street.

“Vital industries such as construction are struggling and more than 2 million people cannot find a job. The UK urgently needs the Tory-led coalition to ditch austerity and put in place a pro growth, pro jobs sustainable growth strategy.”

News release from UNISON UK
http://www.unison.org.uk/asppresspack/pressrelease_view.asp?id=2852


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