Commenting on the government’s decision to delay the election of the Hampshire & the Solent mayor and Sussex & Brighton mayor until 2028, UNISON South East regional secretary Maggi Ferncombe said today (Thursday 4 December 2025) “The delay will no doubt be disappointing for many people. But it gives an opportunity to get local government […]
local government
Responding to the announcement that East Sussex County Council has asked ministers for financial support to cover a likely budget deficit in 2026-27, UNISON South East local government lead Kieran Pearson said: “East Sussex’s warning that it does not have the reserves to cover a predicted £56 million shortfall is deeply concerning. Applying for the government’s exceptional […]
A new charter designed to strengthen protection for migrant social care workers has been launched across the South East following a rise in cases of harassment, intimidation and unfair dismissal, UNISON says today (Thursday). The charter calls for councils to take a series of practical steps to support care staff who have come from overseas, and prevent them […]
Commenting on a government announcement today (Tuesday) that councils in Surrey are to be merged into two new unitary councils from next year, UNISON South East regional manager Ryan Slaughter said: “Reorganising Surrey’s authorities mustn’t be at the expense of staff or the local services. “Council employees will be after assurances there’ll be no compulsory […]
UNISON’s annual council “funding gap” report estimates the total shortfall between what councils across England, Scotland and Wales need to run services and what they receive will be £4.1bn in 2026/27.
Congratulations to UNISON activist Susy Goldstone-Brady who in September was recognised as a ‘Jewish Workplace Champion’ by the Board of Deputies of British Jews.
The union is now calling on councils in the region to take responsibility for the treatment of workers employed through local authority care contracts, and to ensure public money is not being used to fund exploitation.
Victory for service users and staff as West Berkshire Council scraps plans to close or outsource popular centres.
Victory for fairness and equality in Southampton
On 15 January 2025, Oxfordshire County Council became the latest employer to sign UNISON South East’s Ant-Racism Charter. The charter commits organisations to provide support for staff who may suffer racism in the workplace and to be actively anti-racist, rather than just non-racist. Oxfordshire County UNISON Black members officer Shirley Owens said: ‘This is great […]
Delegates attending this year’s regional local government annual general meeting (AGM) in Southampton left fired up and better equipped for the challenges ahead.
UNISON members in Basingstoke recently uncovered a wonderful piece of social history with the discovery of an antique minutes book hidden on top of a dusty shelf in their office, writes Patrick Young.
A UNISON campaign has resulted in around 100 staff gaining an extra 2% on their pay in 2024/25.
Featuring Sandra Charles – UNISON South East deputy regional convenor
The ballot runs from 23 May to 4 July 2023 and covers tens of thousands of council and school workers in the region.