UNISON calls for ‘serious discussion’ about long-term sustainability of local government, in response to Audit Scotland’s briefing paper on Covid-19: Implications for public finances.
UNISON welcomes the briefing paper by Audit Scotland on: Covid-19: Implications for public finances. UNISON members know first hand how drastically public services have been affected by Covid-19 and lockdown. The impact on the public finances is unprecedented and will continue to have long-lasting effects in Scotland for years to come.
Johanna Baxter, UNISON’s head of local government said: “Covid-19 has had significant consequences for the future of public spending programmes and services. With increasing pressures on local government public revenues, spending and jobs.
Local government plays a crucial role in public health and in providing social and economic development and support. Local government workers have supported businesses and families throughout the lockdown and will continue to do so through the economic downturn.
However local government is in crisis. UNISON has continually highlighted that there is more than a £1bn funding gap for local government in Scotland. And COLSA has repeatedly given the Scottish government evidence of this, through their cost collection exercises. The Scottish Government must initiate a serious discussion about the role of local government in scotland and the long term sustainability of local government services and jobs in years to come”
Notes
Read full Audit scotland report here: https://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/uploads/docs/report/2020/briefing_200820_covid.pdf
Summary and press release: https://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/news/public-spending-must-adapt-to-covid-19
UNISON is the public services trade union, and the largest trade union across local government in Scotland.
UNISON Scotland Contacts
Johanna Baxter, head of local government in Scotland: 07817 120894
Danny Phillips, communications officer: 07944 664110