Government "failed their citizens" on COVID-19
Commenting on the first report of the UK Covid-19 Public Inquiry, stating that the UK Government and devolved administrations “failed their citizens” in their pandemic response and preparedness, STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer said:
“This report makes clear that workers died because of political decisions to cut public spending. It’s clear cut and crystal clear – governments “failed their citizens”. Our NHS, social care and other public services - and the public servants that uphold them – simply did not stand a chance against the ravages of a pandemic that ripped through funding-starved, defenceless workplaces
“It’s a sickening and heartbreaking validation of what unions and workers have said for years: austerity kills. But this isn’t and never will be a time for self-righteousness – far from it. This is a time to reflect and pay tribute to every worker who died in service to their work.
“Politicians must reflect and act too. It’s simply not good enough to give the public pre-prepared platitudes on ‘learning lessons’. To do so is a disgrace to the needs of COVID-bereaved families desperate for answers and action. We stand with them and will fight for justice for those impacted by the pandemic so we may never see it’s like again.
END
Notes to editors:
The full recommendations can be viewed here:
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RSSGeneral Secretary’s newspaper columns
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Next first minister must show same respect to unions The National 21st March
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