ONE of the major concerns about the future of our public services relates to the drive towards privatisation.
During the last year, council housing has transferred out of direct local authority control to an Arm's Length Management Organisation. In recent years we have seen a range of council services privatised, including car parks, security, grounds maintenance and others.
More recently, plans have been put forward to transfer leisure services, IT systems and home care of elderly people to the private sector. Other areas face similar threats.
Council staff do an excellent job, often in very difficult circumstances, with limited resources. In the current climate, commitment and hard work within public services appear to be very much undervalued.
The majority of the British public firmly believe that privatisation hasn't worked on the railways. UNISON firmly believes that there is no evidence to suggest that privatisation can work in our local services either.
Martin Challender
Branch Secretary
Bolton Metro Branch
UNISON
Mawdsley Street
Bolton
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