The 2018-19 Draft Budget will protect the NHS and public services, support low earners and unlock Scotland’s economic potential, according to Finance Secretary Derek Mackay – but opposition parties beg to differ. Conservative finance spokesman said the government is “putting their hands into the pockets of hard-working Scots to bail them out of the mess they have made of public finances.” Continue reading Scotland’s Budget: A budget for a fairer society – or picking workers’ pockets?
Tag: Holyrood
Budget: Nursing survey shows need for pay rise, say Greens
A survey of nurses, showing that three quarters of those questioned say they feel financially worse off than they did five years ago, puts pressure on the finance secretary to announce an above inflation pay rise on Thursday says a Green MSP.
The survey by RCN Scotland also reveals that more than a third of nursing staff say they are looking for a new job, a situation Alison Johnstone MSP says will only get worse if Derek Mackay does not announce a “fair pay settlement” as part of the draft Scottish Budget this week.
Alison Johnstone MSP, the Scottish Greens’ health spokesperson, said: “Public sector workers play a vital role in our communities, from nursing and social care staff to teachers and police officers and the real-terms pay cuts they’ve endured must end. The findings of this report should confirm what ministers should already know, that problems like recruitment, retention and staff morale will become even worse if we don’t ensure a fair pay settlement, above inflation, to nurses and other dedicated professionals working in the NHS.
“These real-terms pay cuts in recent years are clearly having a negative impact. The finance secretary must listen to groups representing frontline workers such as RCN Scotland and back the basic principle that a pay rise for our public services is due and can be funded, not from cuts elsewhere, but from fairer taxation that protects low earners.” Continue reading Budget: Nursing survey shows need for pay rise, say Greens
A make or break Budget for local services
Finance Secretary Derek Mackay has said his priority is to build Scotland’s future as he prepares to present his second Draft Budget to Parliament on Thursday. Councils across the country are braced for further cuts and it’s a ‘make or break’ Budget for local services. Continue reading A make or break Budget for local services
Mainstream Human Rights in future budgets, urges Equalities and Human Rights Committee
Holyrood’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee has published its findings into the Scottish Government’s Draft Budget. Released on World Human Rights Day, the committee is urging the Government not to step back in equalities budgeting, after having led the way in this area for many years. Continue reading Mainstream Human Rights in future budgets, urges Equalities and Human Rights Committee
Mesh Implant report lets down survivors, says Green MSP
Green MSP Alison Johnstone has called for the findings of a report into the scandal of women being forced to live in severe and constant pain because of transvaginal mesh implants to be looked at again. The Scottish Greens’ health spokesperson says the recommendations do not give sufficient clarity to ministers, MSPs and the Scottish Mesh Survivors – the group behind the Hear Our Voice campaign.
Lothian MSP Alison Johnstone said: “The Public Petitions Committee has reflected that Professor Alison Britton’s report on the independent review will focus on the process that was followed and will not revisit the findings and recommendations of the report itself. In Dr Wael Agur’s view, a consultant urogynecologist who is playing a leading role in the review, recommending that ‘transvaginal mesh procedures must not be offered routinely’ does not give sufficient clarity. I too believe that the findings of the report must also be revisited.
“Scotland had an opportunity to show global leadership on mesh. I am, like other MSPs, extremely dismayed that the final report did not reflect that. We missed the opportunity to lead then and we let down mesh survivors in the process.
“Work to improve reporting of adverse incidents related to medical devices is more urgent than ever. The case for imposing a real suspension of all transvaginal mesh procedures is stronger than ever and I urge the Cabinet Secretary to open the Final Report of the Scottish review of mesh surgery up to public consultation.”
Ms Johnstone added: “Meeting the mesh survivors when they came to Parliament was eye-opening. No one appreciates more than the women themselves how debilitating, how life-restricting incontinence can be. While we all appreciate that surgery can never be guaranteed 100% safe or side effect free, to have such devastating outcomes in a group of patients is absolutely unacceptable.”
MSP praises NHS workforce as staffing rises to record levels
SNP MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Ben Macpherson, has praised the staff working in our NHS who are helping to deliver the best-performing NHS in the UK ahead of the busy festive period after latest stats showed increased staffing levels that will help give patients the best possible care. Continue reading MSP praises NHS workforce as staffing rises to record levels
Council’s care staff feel ‘overworked, over-pressured, unsupported and disbelieved’
Under pressure: City care workers issue distress call
A UNISON survey of the city council’s Health and Social Care workers has concluded that they feel ‘overworked, over-pressured, unsupported and disbelieved’. The report says many care staff are taking on more work than they can safely manage. Continue reading Council’s care staff feel ‘overworked, over-pressured, unsupported and disbelieved’
End The Gap:Tory MSP supports disability alliance call for action
Conservative Miles Briggs MSP is backing Disability Agenda Scotland’s call for action to initially reduce and ultimately end Scotland’s disability employment gap. This week DAS published its End The Gap report which highlights that only 42 per cent of people with a disability are in employment, compared with 73 per cent for Scotland as a whole. Continue reading End The Gap:Tory MSP supports disability alliance call for action
Councils struggle to cope with funding restraints
“Our evidence tells us that councils are finding the financial pressures increasingly difficult to manage” – Ronnie Hinds, Accounts Commission
Councils are showing increasing signs of financial stress and face even tougher challenges ahead, says the Accounts Commission. In its annual financial overview published today the local authority watchdog says funding has reduced while costs and demands have increased, and more councils are using reserves to fund services.
The Scottish Government provides around two thirds of council budgets. This fell by 5.2 per cent in 2016/17 to £9.7 billion.
2016/17 was also the last year of the council tax freeze. Council tax provides just 14 per cent of councils’ income. The report notes that if all councils chose to raise council tax by three per cent, it would yield an estimated £68 million – broadly comparable to a one per cent pay rise for staff.
Overall council debt rose by £800 million in 2016/17 as councils took advantage of low interest rates to fund projects. While not posing an immediate problem some councils are concerned about longer term affordability.
The report highlights a number of financial pressures. A rising proportion of council funding directed towards national priorities such as educational initiatives means councils have to look at deeper cuts in other services. For example, resources for culture, planning and development, and roads have seen the sharpest falls in funding over the last three years.
The report also looks at the current financial year (2017/18) where councils have approved £317 million of savings and use of £105 million in reserves. Some councils could risk running out of general fund reserves within two or three years if they continue to draw on them at current levels.
The report aims to help councils plan ahead for setting their 2018/19 budgets.
Ronnie Hinds, deputy chair of the Accounts Commission, said: “Our evidence tells us that councils are finding the financial pressures increasingly difficult to manage. The elections in May this year brought in major changes in council administrations across Scotland. Councils that have demonstrated effective leadership and robust planning will be in a better position to deal with the challenges that lie ahead.”
Holyrood budget: Greens pledge to protect public services
A publication by the Accounts Commission, showing the extent of the financial stress faced by councils, serves as a wakeup call to the finance secretary say the Greens. Local government spokesperson for the Scottish Greens Andy Wightman says the report’s findings make it difficult for Derek Mackay to dismiss key Green demands for the forthcoming draft budget that include protecting public services and a real terms pay rise.
Continue reading Holyrood budget: Greens pledge to protect public services