Guaranteeing a fair deal for the public sector workforce and protecting lower-paid workers underlines the wellbeing focus of this year’s Scottish Budget, according to new Finance Secretary Kate Forbes – but local government trade union UNISON says care workers are being undervalued.
Scottish Government policy decisions mean the starting salaries for staff in a range of public sector professions in Scotland are already higher than in England, including:
• a newly-recruited teacher will earn £26,697 in Scotland, compared to £24,373 in England
• a band 5 staff nurse will earn £24,670 in Scotland, compared to £24,214 in England
• a newly-recruited police officer will earn £26,037 in Scotland, compared to £20,880 – £24,177 in England
The 2020-21 Public Sector Pay Policy published alongside the Budget includes a range of measures to further support the public sector workforce:
• a guaranteed 3% pay uplift for public sector workers earning up to £80,000
• a cash uplift of £750 for public sector workers who earn £25,000 or less
• continuing the Scottish Government’s commitment to the real Living Wage, now set at £9.30 per hour
• limiting to £2,000 the basic pay increase for those earning £80,000 or more
Ms Forbes said: “Wellbeing and fairness are at the heart of this year’s Budget, and promoting the wellbeing of our public sector workers by protecting and increasing their pay is an important part of that.
“This pay policy responds to real-life circumstances, with measures to help us tackle inequalities by protecting the salaries of lower-paid employees. And of course investing in our hardworking public sector workforce will also help deliver top-class public services while supporting jobs and the wider economy.
“I am grateful for the engagement Ministers have had with the trades unions and others, and now hope Parliament will work with us to pass this Budget and reward our vital public sector workers.”
However Local government union UNISON says care workers are being treated unfairly and is campaigning to see better pay and conditions for these key public sector workers.
Christina McAnea, UNISON assistant general secretary, said: “For all the things that are wrong with the care system in this country, we have a workforce that are passionate and committed. They care desperately about the people they look after. That’s a fantastic place to start in trying to build a care system that works.”
But care workers are not treated fairly. Care is in crisis, thanks to a system that has been underfunded and ignored by governments for years. Care workers and the people that they look after are paying the price.
UNISON is campaigning for change and urges councils across the country to sign up to their Ethical Care Charter. The union is fighting to win:
- Decent jobs, including:
- A real living wage
- Full pay for sleep-in’s and travel time
- Fair contracts, no zero hours
- Enough time to care
- A safe working environment
- Quality standards: A national framework for care, with pay and training linked to standards.
- Fair funding: We are building political alliances and public support to get the right solutions for care workers and care users.
Local government umbrella body COSLA says the Scottish Government draft budget falls far short of what it considers a fair settlement for the country’s councils.
COSLA says the draft budget results in a £95m (£300m real terms) cut to revenue and £117m (£130m real terms) cut to capital budgets. The impact of these cuts will continue to be felt. This budget does not recognise the vital role Local Government plays in the economy across Scotland.
COSLA Environment and Economy Spokesperson Councillor Steven Heddle said: “Councils campaigned strongly for an increase in funding so that we can continue to develop local economies that provide fair and accessible work opportunities for everyone.
“Regretfully, the Government has again ignored these warnings and failed to recognise the unique role councils play in growing local economies.
“We are the main employer in almost every local authority in Scotland providing a tenth of Scotland’s workforce. If any other part of the economy was facing the risks we are, the Government would step in.
“When councils have the money to invest in capital projects, the benefits are felt across communities – from training and apprenticeships to support for local supply chains – this year’s Capital Budget will mean these benefits will all be lost.
“Less core revenue funding for economic development support, planning and regulation will also hit communities hard.
“We are calling on the Government and the Parliament to address these concerns, listen to our asks and prevent the loss of essential council services which communities rely upon.”
