Largest health union protest against £4.5m cuts to Lothian’s third sector services
Activists from Scotland biggest health union, UNISON will gather outside Edinburgh City Chambers this morning to lobby against proposed £4.5m cuts to 64 third sector organisations in the city.
These cuts, including a £1 million reduction in welfare rights services, will strip vital support from low-income families, disabled people, carers and contradicting the Edinburgh Council’s anti-poverty strategy, says UNISON
Unions and community organisations are warning that the consequences could be catastrophic for service users and staff.
The removal of these preventative services will also increase pressure on NHS services, A&E, and crisis care, shifting costs rather than delivering real savings, says the union
UNISON is calling on the City of Edinburgh Council to allocate £4.5 million in next year’s budget to keep these essential services running.
UNISON Lothian health branch secretary Tracy-Anne Miller said: “Slashing funding to third sector organisations will devastate communities and cost more in the long run.
“These cuts will push more people into NHS services at a time when hospitals and GPs are already overstretched. We need investment in care, not a crisis. We are calling on the council to step up, protect these services, and prevent these cuts.”
UNISON activists will gather outside Edinburgh City Chambers from 8.30 am this morning (Thursday 20th February) to lobby the City of Edinburgh Council to protect funding for 64 third sector organisations facing cuts following the announcement by the Edinburgh Integrated Joint Board (which directs the health and social care partnership) to cut its £4.5million third sector grants programme from June 2025.
UNITE City of Edinburgh Branch will also be making their voices heard in the quadrangle today. A demo will take place outside the City Chambers on the High Street from 8.30am to 9.30am,
The unions will send deputations to the meeting to speak on behalf of their members. In all, ELEVEN deputations will be heard today. Among them are Oaklands School Parents Council and LIFT Muirhouse Millennium Centre from North Edinburgh.
Labour nominally runs Edinburgh, propped up by Lib Dem and Tory support. Last year, under the leadership of now-suspended Cammy Day, the administration controversially adopted a Lib-Dem budget.
Labour, and the City of Edinburgh Council, is now under new leadership, but the perennial challenge of meeting an increasing demand for services with never quite enough financial resources remains as tough as ever.
As councils try to balance the books a painful Council Tax increase is inevitable.
Earlier this week COSLA’s Resource Spokesperson, Councillor Katie Hagmann, warned: “Councils are working hard to deliver every day for our communities. However, budget cuts, inflation, higher costs such as the increase to employers’ national insurance contributions, and the previous freezes on council tax mean councils have unfortunately had to make difficult decisions to avoid reducing or cutting essential services.
“Council tax is one of the few options councils have to raise money to invest in local improvements such as roads; community halls and leisure centres; and public transport. These are services that benefit us all, but especially the people in our communities who might need extra support – such as children and young people, parents with young children, elderly people, or those with disabilities. With this in mind, councils are carefully considering what increase is necessary and appropriate for them locally.
“Reform of council tax is overdue and COSLA wishes to see a Council Tax that is fair and proportionate for all householders.
“Councils have advice and support services in place to help people who are struggling to pay their council tax or having financial difficulties. We recommend speaking to the council tax and benefits department in your council to find out more.”
Today, National Leadership Day incidentally, we’ll hear the respective political parties put forward their vision for Scotland’s capital city. Just what kind of city does Edinburgh want to be?
Tough choices? Of course, but it’s also an opportunity to begin to restore Edinburgh’s battered reputation.
It’s time for real leadership.
The council budget debate starts at 10am and is also broadcast live on the City of Edinburgh Council webcast site
PAPERS for this morning’s budget meeting can be found on the council website.
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