Saturday 21 November 2015

Osborne to allow councils to raise tax to fund social care

George Osborne is expected to announce plans in the Autumn Statement on Wednesday to allow councils facing a social care funding crisis in their area to raise council tax by up to 2%. It is estimated that if all councils decide to impose the chancellor's 2% "social care precept", as much as £2bn could be raised by the end of the parliament in 2020. On Band D designated homes with the owner paying £1,400 a year in council tax, the additional cost would be £30 per property. It would be for the local council to decide if it wanted to raise the cash, but the money has to be spent on social care.

Saturday 14 November 2015

Care homes and a looming crisis

The FT's Jonathan Eley writes that the "economics of care" are miserable. Four Seasons is lossmaking because a lot of care is paid for by local councils, he claims. Facing substantial cuts in budgets, local authorities have reduced the fees they pay to care home operators and are being more demanding in their judgment of who needs care. Also, running costs are rising, claims Mr Eley: "Ahead of the Autumn Statement, George Osborne may currently be preoccupied with ways to extricate himself from the tax credits brouhaha, but the looming crisis in social care could turn out to be just as damaging," he concludes.

Thursday 12 November 2015

Care sector destined for failure due to lack of government funding

UNISON, the public service union are increasingly concerned that some of the UK’s largest private care providers are on the verge of collapse according to reports.

It is understood that Four Seasons Healthcare, the largest provider of care homes in the UK, are struggling to meet rising debt.

UNISON fear the government are not listening to several pleas to invest in social care, and that residents will suffer if the Government does not act quickly.

In the Northern Region, Four Seasons Healthcare have already sold three homes within the last couple of months, in what was described as an organisational structural change.

Ian Fleming, UNISON Area Organiser, said, “If the situation doesn't improve with Local Authority funding, it won't just be Four Seasons Healthcare who will be selling homes. It will be industry wide in their attempt to work their way out of rising debt. We are deeply concerned that recent reports have highlight warnings that the entire care sector is in a slow motion collapse.

“We want residents, their families, and our members to be kept informed and not hear about changes through press coverage.

UNISON repeatedly raised concerns about Southern Cross when they collapsed, but our concerns were ignored then with dire consequences, the Government needs to heed the warnings and support local authorities in funding care for the most vulnerable in society and treat them with dignity and respect.”

UNISON has arranged to meet the Regional Four Seasons Healthcare Senior Management team in order to address some of our members concerns but the root of the problem lies with the Government and their policies.


For further information contact Ian Fleming on 07817 120625


Thursday 5 November 2015

Support Jus-Rol Workers

As you will be aware on the news the ‘General Mills’ has announced plans to close its Jul-Rol site in Berwick with the loss of over 265 jobs, due to the review of its manufacturing and distribution network, with the goal of streamlining operations and identifying potential capacity reductions.  General Mills is one the world's larger food companies, with offices or manufacturing facilities in more than 30 countries, with its base in Minneapolis, Minnesota (USA).  In fiscal 2015, its global net sales were $17.6 billion!  Part of its portfolio are:  Häagen Dazs, Old El Paso; Green Giant; Betty Crocker; Pillsbury; Cheerios; Nature Valley.  The Chief Executive is:Kendall J Powell – Email:  kendall.powell@genmills.com  

The Employer has a 50 year history with Berwick and is the town’s largest employer, and supporter of the town’s culture and charities.  Jus-Rol is the No. 1 Brand in the frozen and chilled pastry categories, and Jus-Rol leads both the chilled and frozen pastry sectors. Delia Smith has given the seal of approval to Jus-Rol. The brand is included in her book “Delia’s How to Cheat at Cooking.”
Workers at the factory are rightly worried about their future.   The potential loss of 265 jobs would be a devastating blow to Berwick and the surrounding areas.  Northumberland County Council is setting up a taskforce to help the workers.
Please sign and share the following petition in support of Jus-Rol Workers  -  Yours support is greatly appreciated.





Friday 7 August 2015

Wrong to Buy

by Allan Hepple

The much vaunted Conservative manifesto commitment to allow 1.3 million families to buy their housing association home, dubbed Right to Buy 2, at Right to Buy discounts, between £77,000 and £104,000, has generated much discussion and criticism from professionals and Housing Associations alike. Such august bodies as the National Housing Federation and the Chartered Institute of Housing have been particularly vocal on the matter.

I will attempt to summarise the position as I understand it.

Current position Council tenants since 1980 have had the ‘Right to Buy’ (RTB) with discounts on the open market value currently of between £77,000 and £104,000. This was on the promise of replacement on a one to one basis with new council homes. In reality local councils can only build one for every 10 sold!

Housing association tenants have the ‘Right to Acquire’, introduced under the 1996 Housing Act. It is substantially different from the RTB:-
* It only applies to eligible tenants who live in properties provided with social housing grant, or transferred to housing association, after 1st April 1997
* Housing associations have right to sell the tenant an alternative property other than the one they live in.
* Properties in rural areas, population at or less than 3,000, are excluded
* Current discounts stand between £9,000 and £16,000 dependant on location

Consequently take up is low.

Housing associations; to which paradoxically the then Tory government in the 1980’s  gave powers as alternative providers of new social housing in place of local authorities; are private and not public bodies like councils and have the ability to borrow on the private market as well as obtaining social housing grant from the government. Most have charitable status but all have a legal responsibility to house those in housing need. Their debts, estimated at around £60bn, are private debts and are not counted toward the UK national debt.

Extending RTB to all housing association tenants would see discounts increased dramatically to between £77,000 and £104,000. Whilst the detail of the Tory plan is yet to be released, currently there is no planned restriction on rural areas.
 
So why is it ‘Wrong to Buy’?
 
First Housing associations are not-for-profit organisations. Their properties are not government assets to sell off.
A third of RTB properties have ended up as private rented homes at a greater cost to taxpayers as result of higher rents requiring increased Housing Benefit expenditure. Private rents in the UK have increased by 10% in the last year (5% in the North East. SHOUT (Social Housing Under Threat) have estimated that HB expenditure could rise to £200bn in the next few years if current housing policies don’t change.

The sell-off will be funded by the forced sale of council’s most expensive homes when they become vacant. Effectively compensating HAs for the sale of their homes by councils.  Funding through forcing sell off of most expensive council houses is wrong. Government estimates the cost of discounts will be £4.5bn a year yet Savills estimate the sell-off of the most expensive council houses will raise £3.2bn at best. The numbers simply don’t stack up. This money will be used to fund no fewer than 5 discrete things: fund the discounts to tenants: replace the sold council property, repay the grant on the sold housing association home; replace the sold housing association home and the contribution to the [government’s] brownfield regeneration fund? What’s even more interesting is that the Times claims that Whitehall officials warned David Cameron against the plan to RTB scheme weeks before the general election!

According to Inside Housing the Conservative’s policy is to sell off the most expensive in the area not nationally. The numbers from Inside Housing (12-06-15) give valuations at or above which they'd be sold off in the North East: 1 bed £80,000 2 bed £125,000 3bed £155,000 4 bed £250,000
It is highly likely that this could affect the most rural parts of Northumberland where house prices are highest but demand for affordable homes is highest.

The irony is that they are largely in Tory constituencies! If you add to that sell off of rural HA homes and the inability for us to get any affordable home contribution for less than 10 homes built by private developers it really is a nightmare scenario for affordable homes in rural areas.

The government have promised a one for one replacement on all homes sold. We’ve heard this since 1980 but it’s never been achieved. Between April 2012 and December 2014, 26,184 homes were sold but just 2,712 were built from these proceeds – a rate of 1 built to every 10 sold!

This could also pose a threat to our Core Strategy which provides a good policy for new affordable housing being affordable in perpetuity in rural areas. 

Credit agency Standard and Poors, which provides ratings for 17 HAs, said the policy could affect their credit worthiness in the long term affecting their ability to borrow on the private market. Social housing grant has been cut since 2010 from £60,000 to £20,000 a unit so HAs rely more and more on private loans to finance new development.

The Office of National Statistics said if the policy led to greater control over housing associations, the ONS would have to assess Housing associations as public bodies. This would result in their current private debt being added to public debt amounting to £60bn or 4% of the total national debt.

Overall, there are clearly many unintended consequences but the most important impact will simply be less affordable housing particularly social rented housing and less opportunity to build new homes. At current rates of provision homes built today will have to last about 250 years!

In short that’s why this policy is not Right to Buy but Wrong to Buy!

Monday 22 June 2015

Using Flower Power to Organise at Work

The story of a union representative.

The union representative told a story about one of their members who had reached the final stage of the company sickness monitoring procedure. There was no denying that the woman had a poor sick record but her absences were due to ongoing hospital treatment following a workplace injury two years earlier. Despite the rep quoting employment law, the managers were not impressed. The worker had gone over the trigger levels and it looked certain that she would be dismissed under the capability procedure.

The final stage hearing was to take place on Friday. The rep spent Wednesday and Thursday going round to all the co-workers, explaining what was happening and asking if they would put in a pound to buy a card. The rep bought a bunch of flowers and an oversized ‘Get Well Soon’ card, the kind of the thing that your love struck teenage son buys his first girlfriend on Valentine’s Day.

On Friday, five minutes before the hearing was to take place, all of the workers turned up outside the HR office. There were hugs all round as the sick woman was presented with the giant card and flowers, with the managers who were hearing the case forced to wait in the corridor until the impromptu ceremony was over. The meeting finally started five minutes late. The manager’s opening remarks were “OK, we get your point.” The appeal was granted and the member was referred to occupational health, with reasonable adjustments to her job implemented a few weeks later.

You know all the co-workers who had signed the card or put in their pound told the story to whoever would listen about how they had saved the worker’s job. Not the rep but them – the workers. Now that is what union organising is all about. 

Sunday 21 June 2015

World Cup sponsors must pressurise FIFA to act on Qatar abuses

The eight big sponsors Adidas, Gazprom, Hyundai, Kia, McDonalds, Budweiser, Coca-Cola and Visa are amongst the companies we should all write too and ensure we assert our pressure on FIFA.

In Qatar 4,000 workers are estimated to die by 2022 – an absolutely shocking fact.
This is just an estimate as there will probably be a lot more as only Nepal and India record the number of deaths.

Corruption and heat seem to be the focus for this World Cup – yet we see thousands of people die with little coverage from the media as many endure the horrendous treatment as their rights are violated.

In Qatar the Kafala system exists where workers seek sponsorship to work however this all to often means passports are retained by employers, contracts torn up, the need for employers to sign exit visas and a block on workers so they can’t change jobs even when abuse is taking place.

Treatment of migrant workers is not only in the building industry but also in infrastructure, domestic workers and the service industry.

Women suffer greatly, those in detention centres are enduring appalling conditions and mistreatment. Those in employment, especially in private homes doing domestic work are open to terrible conditions including psychological, physical and sexual abuse.

The ITUC say that there is forced labour being used by contractors providing services to university campuses in Doha city. More UK universities are opening in the Gulf States, so the issues for us as workers are our potential members if they worked in UK.

Fellow workers are abused and dying – with appalling working conditions and human rights violations. Workers need to know their rights.

Qatar must abolish Kafala, and allow migrant workers to join trade unions

UNISON has just supported Anti Slavery International through UNISON International Development Fund to work with partners in India to give pre-departure advice to migrant workers hoping to travel to Qatar and other Middle East countries.

We all know about the FIFA corruption scandal but must ensure the spotlight is not only on who bribed who – lives are more important than money so we need to hear our own footballing bodies to speak out in support of workers’ rights – that are far too silent.

Please support the Playfair Qatar campaign and write to the sponsors expressing your concerns.


Tuesday 14 April 2015

Scott promotes a positive Labour Party in Berwick

I took some time out of my schedule to support Scott Dickinson, Labour Party Parliamentary Candidate for Berwick upon-Tweed as he attended a hustings organised by the BBC in Berwick (Main Street) Marygate today.

The event centred around random people off the street (although I think there was a couple of people planted by both the Tories and Lib.Dems...) asking questions of all parties but one of the candidates up for election.

Yes, sadly the Green candidate was missing - Rachael Roberts who didn't even get a mention.

The debate was good and produced some great discussions, our man Scott Dickinson held his own defending the Labour Party over criticism directed at our party and the plans for the Kwik Save site and the councils relationship with Arch. Scott told voters of the positive policies the Labour Party are promoting in their manifesto and how he'll take the matters of North Northumberland to Westminster.

I hope this is captured on TV as it will give people the confidence that Scott and the Labour Party are the right party for North Northumberland.

Well done Scott.

Thursday 29 January 2015

NHS Northumberland Clinical Commissioning Group’s patient forum

Please see details attached and below. Please Residents in Northumberland will havethe chance to influence local health services at an event in the County this month.

Taking place at:

Morpeth Riverside Leisure Centre on Saturday, 31 January from 10am to 12.30pm

NHS Northumberland Clinical Commissioning Group’s patient forum will bring together local people with key decision makers in healthcare.

The event will look at issues like patient transport services, and work currently underway to try to provide easier access to GP appointments.  CCG staff will also provide updates on local health services, the current winter pressures facing the NHS, as well as offering the chance to raise concerns or offer feedback.

The event is free and open to anyone who would like to find out more.

To book your place email:  norccg.enquiries@nhs.net or call 01670-335180.

Saturday 17 January 2015

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS NOMINATION FOR NORTHERN REGION - MALE SEAT

I am writing to your Branch to seek nomination in the UNISON NEC 2015 Elections for the Northern regional male seat.

As many of you know I have held this seat since 2010. During my time I have represented the views of branches and the region alike and if elected I will continue to listen and represent our branches putting their concerns, ideas and views forward to the NEC.

Since the Coalition Government came into power we have seen attack after attack against the Public Sector generally, particularly so in the North East as the North-South divide becomes more apparent and we see falling living standards for working people.

This problem is being felt more acutely in the northern region. UNISON has thousands of members across the region who provide essential services to vulnerable people and groups. Our members have never been under so much pressure as the commissioning and procurement system forces all public organisations to cut costs to a bare minimum in order for services to survive.

In my role as an NEC member, I offer my practical skills and experience to help develop alternative strategies in order to protect our members.

I believe our primary concern has to be saving, defending terms and conditions and using our campaigning and negotiating to recruit more members.

This year is an important year for our union with major challenges ahead. Our union is in a strong position to continue to meet those challenges and make the case to promote an alternative economic agenda.

In the community and voluntary sector I will continue to campaign for employers and public-sector commissioners, to make sure that the living wage is established as an absolute minimum pay level.

Our NHS members will be out on strike on 29 January, escalating their action.

It will be the third day in dispute at the government’s arrogant and harmful attitude towards the NHS.

Their decision to reject the 1% pay rise recommended by the
independent Pay Review Body is a callous and unnecessary action against a workforce that is hard working and compassionate.

They won't be alone in their battle. The threat of strike action by police staff has brought the employers back to the table, while the probation service deals with a new era of privatisation.

Local government, which includes schools staff will once again be under enormous pressure, so it's vital branches are well equipped. I believe we need to share some of our skills and knowledge so that we deliver a resourceful and effective union ready to respond to anything and be ready to help each other in difficult times.

My aim this year is to continue to grow and build our union as a fighting force -to work with our communities as a campaigning organisation and work with sister trade unions across our region. There needs to be an end to the relentless attacks on public services, the use of zero-hour contracts, the rise of in-work benefits and the reliance on food banks and pay-day loans to make ends meet.

The choice between eating and heating should not exist in Britain in 2015.

Many of our members have worked tirelessly over the festive period to keep vital public services running and it will be these services that come under further attack if a new Tory-led government gets the chance to ramp up austerity for another five years.

May's general election will give all of us the chance to vote for what we want our country to stand for.

We cannot afford another government that fails to get a grip with the soaring cost of living, while running public services into the ground. Let's make sure that we send a clear message that our vital services will not be eroded and that the hard working people who provide them will not be taken for granted.

The Northern Region are at the forefront of organising in a way that shares good practice and responds to cross service issues supporting one another at rallies, demonstrations and strike days.

I believe in democratic accountability and as such attend Regional Committee and Council to provide updates and take comments from Branches to the NEC.  I am also committed to making myself accessible to Branches so that you can regularly receive updates and have contact with me throughout these elections and beyond.

I urge every Branch to send me your email address so that I can update you throughout this campaign or follow me on twitter at ianfleming1973. I am currently Joint Branch Secretary of the Northumberland County Branch, a position I have held for the last 6 years. I have gained a vast amount of experience which I have taken into my current role as an NEC representative where I represent our region on the International Committee and Industrial Action Committee.

In my role as NEC representative I hope to continue to influence the national policy of UNISON by continuing to push the Northern region’s campaigning model, which has proven to be successful.

We must argue and campaign for progressive policies which represent the views of our members.  I believe these are avoiding compulsory redundancies, protecting pensions, defending terms and conditions, promoting health and wellbeing and fighting for fair pay. In addition to this, I believe that in order to promote an economic alternative agenda we need to Invest in social housing, tackle youth unemployment and negotiate a fair wage for apprentices. I'm against the privatisation of the NHS, against the Bedroom Tax, against tax evasion and tax avoidance, Pro-credit unions, against the blacklisting of trade union officials and  against Workfare. I believe one of our biggest challenges is to have a Social Care sector adequately funded.

If elected I will stand up for all Branches as it’s important your views are listened to as we fight against pay freezes, attacks on our terms and conditions, pensions and the cuts in the services we provide.

My Northern Region NEC colleagues,  are Josie Bird, Sue Forster and Paul Gilroy who are members that understand and support the approach of UNISON Northern.  As a team we work with the Regional Convenor and Deputy to ensure the region is at the forefront of influencing national policy and it is essential that we have NEC members who can continue to take our region and the union forward.

The official closing date for nominations is 15th February 2015 therefore could you please table this letter for consideration at your next Branch Committee meeting.

I hope you will be able to support me by nominating me as your candidate. If your branch would like me to attend a branch committee please contact me at vote4fleming.unisonnec@gmail.com.

Thursday 8 January 2015

Update - Backdated holiday pay claims

The coalition government has introduced legislation to reduce potential costs to employers following the recent court decision on holiday pay.
Last November, the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) ruled that holiday pay should reflect non- guaranteed overtime.
Following that ruling, the coalition government set up a taskforce of representatives from government and business — with no union representation — to assess the financial exposure employers face and how to limit the impact on businesses.
The government hasn’t even allowed the taskforce to finish its work, as it has laid the Deduction from Wages (Limitation) Regulations 2014 before parliament, which amend the 1996 Employment Rights Act 1996 and the Working Time Regulations 1998. The regulations came into force on 8 January.
The changes will apply to claims made on or after 1 July 2015 so workers can still make claims under the existing arrangements for the next six months.
From 1 July, the employment tribunal will only consider backdated claims for holiday pay accrued during non-guaranteed overtime in the two years up to the time the worker brought their complaint to a tribunal.
The regulations limit all unlawful deductions claims to two years before the date the ET1 is lodged (with the exception of certain categories of unlawful deductions claims such as claims for Statutory Maternity Pay, Statutory Sick Pay and guarantee payments, which remain unaffected); and explicitly state that the right to paid holiday is not incorporated as a term in employment contracts.
Ian Fleming, Branch Secretary of UNISON Northumberland County Branch said “the government have repeatedly attacked workers rights and by them making this intervention it will hit workers on the lowest wages the hardest, because it’s those workers who are largely affected by this change in legislation. It is completely wrong that in cases where workers have been illegally paid, they won’t be entitled to claim back all the money they are owed.”

Labour Research Department Volume 77, Issue 1, 8 January 2015
www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2014/3322/pdfs/uksi_20143322_en.pdf
www.gov.uk/government/news/government-tackles-businesses-concerns-over-holiday- pay-ruling
www.unison.org.uk/content/ConNewsArticle/5635