BRANCH STATEMENT ON PROPOSED BUDGET CUTS
As a branch we are dismayed to see that more cuts to services are being put forward to attempt to close the current £13m budget gap at the city council. We are clear that the current state of local authority budgets across the country are due to the continuing cuts from central government funding, cuts that currently amount to over £110 million from Brighton and Hove alone. The autumn statement also included next to nothing to help local government fill their funding gaps, and deal with the huge increase in demand for services, and the continuing impoverishment of thousands of the city’s residents.
However, it is essential when looking at budgets that the most vulnerable are not targeted. The current suggestions to close both Bright Start Nursery and Glenwood Lodge hostel do exactly that. They directly impact the homeless, and pre-school children who have already suffered hugely from the pandemic and lockdowns at a key developmental phase. Both workplaces are also staffed by hugely dedicated, experienced and passionate workers, most of whom are also members of our union. We will stand with these members and workers and fight the closure of these services over the coming months, in the run up to February’s budget meetings where councillors will make the final decision.
It is deeply distressing, as a trade union, to be fighting for improved pay, conditions, and service resourcing when the ideological decisions of successive governments have literally stolen the money and resources needed to deliver excellent public services.
We must stand together and fight this. Our residents deserve excellent public services, our members and public service workers deserve good pay and conditions that allow them to thrive. We must fight the narrative that is normalising mass poverty. If you want to act and stand with us, visit our #GIVEITBACKBRIGHTONANDHOVE campaign page.
If you are a member affected by these proposed cuts, please get in touch: 01273 291611/contact@brightonandhoveunison.org.uk. If you are not currently a member of a union and would like to join, you can do so here.