Budget eve call from CSP to prioritise public services

Chief executive John Cowman joined leaders of TUC-affiliated public sector trade unions in writing to chancellor Jeremy Hunt.

Their letter said:

Dear Chancellor
 
We are writing to you on behalf of millions of public sector workers.
 
They are all committed public servants, who just want to get on with their jobs and serve their communities.
 
But they are under intolerable pressure. After 14 years of chronic underfunding the UK’s schools, hospitals and local authorities are on their knees.

'Everywhere is in crisis. Waiting lists are soaring...'

 
Everywhere is in crisis. Waiting lists are soaring, classrooms are falling down, courts drowning with huge backlogs, and councils struggling to provide much beyond even the most basic of services.
 
At the heart of all these problems is a significant absence of resources and a complete lack of staff.
 
Every month experienced and dedicated public servants are quitting in their droves because they are burned out, feel downtrodden and undervalued.
 
Across the NHS and social care alone there nearly 300,000 unfilled vacancies. And one in three newly qualified teachers is leaving the profession within five years.
 
This is simply unsustainable. 
 
Crumbling public services are having a devastating impact on the country and the economy.
 
People’s inability to access crucial services is making the population sicker and forcing many to miss days at work or leave the labour market entirely.
 
That’s why it’s vital you provide extra funding for our public services at the Budget.
 
The country simply cannot afford not to invest in its public services.
 
It would be an act of national vandalism to raid public coffers to pay for politically driven tax cuts.
 
We appeal to you to put country before party and to protect schools, care homes, hospitals, police stations and local services.

The health, future prospects and wellbeing of millions depends on it.