Ryan FowlerChristina McAnea, UNISON’s General Secretary, has strongly criticised the Prime Minister’s recent welfare reform proposals, urging a refocused effort on improving the NHS rather than penalising those unable to work due to illness. Highlighting the government’s unmet promises, McAnea pointed out the severe impact of prolonged NHS waiting lists on individuals and the economy.
“The Prime Minister has promised and failed to cut NHS waiting lists,” McAnea said. “Worse still, his government has damaged the public services people were once able to rely upon to get better and stay healthy.”
She argued that the government’s approach to benefits is misdirected: “Instead of hostile rhetoric on benefits, ministers should be recruiting to fill the huge gaps in the NHS workforce. That would increase capacity and allow more patients to be seen.”
McAnea also emphasised the necessity of increasing pay to retain experienced health service staff, noting that the government is overdue in announcing this year’s NHS pay rise. She concluded, “Threatening to remove benefits and forcing sick and disabled people further into poverty is most definitely not the way to increase the health of our sick nation.”
