Unison: Welsh workers 'let down badly'
Union demands constitutional reform following financial statement
UNISON Cymru has urged constitutional reform in reaction to the Welsh Government’s latest financial statement.
The union says workers in Wales are being let down badly and the only path to a long-term solution is through fundamental changes to the United Kingdom.
The call comes after Senedd leaders confirmed that cuts would be needed in everything from education to policing to cover a £600million financial black hole before April.
UNISON Cymru/Wales, which represents tens of thousands of public sector workers, is urging reforms that would allow more devolved decision making and ensure that the powers and decisions of elected governments are transparent, more democratic and provide greater accountability.
Whilst health and social services will receive an extra £425m on top of their £10.4bn budget, the Welsh government has instructed all health boards to find significant savings. Additionally, £11.5m will be cut from the free school meals budget and recruitment of PCSOs is being halted to save around £1.5m.
UNISON Cymru/Wales convenor Jan Tomlinson said: “Low paid workers and their families, who are already feeling the effects of the worst cost-of-living crisis for a generation, are the ones who will feel these cuts the most.
“Slashing spending in important areas such as free school meals and policing will only make matters worse. Wales has some of the highest areas of deprivation in the UK and the current devolution arrangements all too often lead to confusion as to who is responsible and who has the power.
“Change is needed as quickly as possible.”
UNISON Cymru/Wales regional organiser Simon Dunn said: “Public services workers are getting a raw deal from the current system.
“Major constitutional reforms are needed to address the inequity and deprivation evident across Wales.
“Devolution has been unequivocally positive but further reform is needed. People providing vital services must be able to do so without worrying where their next meal is coming from.
“However, the immediate priority must be a change of government in Westminster and an end to 13 years of Conservative-led austerity.”
Rebecca Evans, Minister for Finance and Local Government said: “We have worked hard across the government to put together a package of financial changes which protect Wales’ public services, NHS and transport.
“We have made difficult yet prudent decisions, which protect people and will help to minimise, as far as possible, the impact of these extraordinary financial pressures on the key services on which we all rely.
“But I want to be clear, even though we have been able to re-direct additional funding into health and transport services, the NHS, in particular, still faces some extremely difficult decisions as a result of the challenging financial position.
“The combination of persistently high inflation, more than a decade of austerity, and the UK Government’s mismanagement of the economy means all public services are under intense pressure. Unfortunately, these are incredibly difficult times."