Social care workers demand return of ‘Missing Millions’
Scotland’s largest health and social care unions will protest outside the Scottish Parliament tomorrow to demand the return of the ‘missing millions’ cut from the Scottish Government’s Budget for social care workers.
Information from the Scottish Trades Union Congress’ ‘Missing Millions’ campaign has shown that £38 million of ringfenced funding for maternity, paternity and sick pay for social care workers in Scotland was secretly cut from the latest Scottish Government budget.
Workers from Scotland’s three biggest social care unions, UNISON, GMB and UNITE will protest outside the Scottish Parliament to demand the return of the cash with workers accusing the Scottish Government of “betraying” social care workers.
The ‘Missing Millions’ campaign was launched last week during STUC Congress. A Freedom of Information request has shown that the £38 million cut was pulled directly from the Scottish Government’s Fair Work in Social Care terms and conditions workstream in September 2023.
Commenting, STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer:
“Cutting the budget to improve the terms, pay and conditions of Scotland’s social care workers is, quite frankly, unforgiveable. This was a sleekit move from the Scottish Government with no transparency, no accountability and worse, no promise of restoring the funding.”
“These were the front-line workers that cared for those most in need during the pandemic. Some even paid with their lives protecting the vulnerable and our communities from the virus.
“For the Scottish Government to cut the dedicated funding that would, in part, seek to implement Fair Work within the sector, with improved sick pay and conditions, is nothing short of betraying the workforce.
“We call on all those who stand alongside our social care workers to join us outside Parliament. We’re sending a clear message to all politicians, especially the Scottish Government, that social care workers are demanding a return of the missing millions and a quick U-turn to this ill-judged budget cut.
END
Notes to editors:
Members of UNISON, GMB and UNITE will be outside the Scottish Parliament on Thursday April 25th from 11am-12pm.
Media welcome and opportunities for interview available. Please liaise with Sean McLaughlan either by reply or to smclaughlan@stuc.org.uk
A petition and letter to Cabinet Secretary for Health Neil Gray MSP regarding the budget cuts is available to view here:
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