UNISON’s Scottish local government branches meet in Glasgow at a time when there is unprecedented political turmoil.

Each day brings yet more confusion, indecision and political skulduggery as a result of the double blows from the ongoing Brexit fallout and the austerity agenda.

Local government workers know first hand that budgets have been slashed under austerity and the outlook is further worsened by Brexit chaos.

Unison Scotland reported last month in its response to the Scottish government’s pre-Budget scrutiny its concerns for the long-term financial sustainability of local government following the cuts in the past 10 years.

This is a view which has been confirmed by reports from Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, the Local Government Benchmarking Report, Accounts Commission and Scottish Parliament’s Information Centre (SPICe).

All agree that there have been substantial cuts to local government budgets coupled with a rise in demand for services. These cuts create a devastating impact on our council workers and our communities in which they live and serve.

The statistics are grim, the starving of funding and the resulting fallout of fewer jobs, stretched to breaking point services and in some cases lost services. Local government services are in serious peril at a time when they are needed more than ever.

Thatcher was quoted as saying “there is no such thing as society.” It was not true then and it is without question not true now — when the services we provide are vital and are every bit as important as the NHS to society.

The services in local government are often a far more cost-effective way to prevent the very problems that result in people having to access the NHS.

How many times have we seen Tory politicians, jackets off, shirt sleeves rolled up and plastic aprons on — no not in a strange initiation ceremony — but parading about NHS hospitals?

They seem to want to appear as supporters of the NHS while their outsourcing has been relentless and neither cost-effective nor efficient. Now they push for a no-deal Brexit, presenting even more real danger.

History has shown that private is not best. The shameful roll-call of private failure across the NHS, local and central government includes Capita, Mitie, Virgin Care, G4S, Carillion and so on. This is what happens when need comes second after greed and the profits of shareholders.

The Tories like to be seen associated with the NHS, they don’t seem to want to do the photo opportunities in the local social work or housing office, the local library or on the front line with environmental health officers.

All areas where cuts have affected the people who depend on these services. Workers in these services create healthier, safer and happier communities, a good society that pulls together for the benefit of all, not just the lucky few.

The Tories underestimated the mood of the nation on the issues surrounding social care to their electoral cost at the last snap election and we in Unison are pleased to have played our part in raising the profile of this essential work.

Our broad range of council and local services are needed more than ever, forming the backbone of our society. Services such as social work, housing, leisure centres, early years learning and schools, parks and libraries, to name a few.

In Unison we have been successful in challenging cuts in many instances, through campaigning, linking with our communities and taking strike action — but we need to share ideas and co-ordinate more.

There is increasing public support and awareness of the value of public services. This pressure needs to be brought to bear on politicians of all political persuasions in both Parliaments.

This needs to be done far more effectively by our members and the electorate across Scotland if our services are to be fit for purpose and to safeguard them for generations to come.

For too long we in local government have been seen as the Cinderella services. Overworked and underpaid, yet working tirelessly to deliver in our communities, for our communities.

We should no longer be seen as the poor relation. Our services are every bit as important as the NHS. The American civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer said: “I am sick and tired of being sick and tired.” We in local government feel the same.

Unison in Scotland has kick-started the debate around the funding crisis in local government with the publication of the Jimmy Reid Foundation report Additional Revenue Streams — Sources of Funding for the Delivery of Local Government Services, which was launched at an STUC Congress fringe event in April this year.

The report highlighted the need for much wider powers over sources of funding and the need for a fairer system of property taxes.

The polarisation of Britain, between the 99 per cent, us, and 1 per cent, them, is not a sustainable or morally acceptable position.

The time to change the narrative is now. No more of there being one standard for the rich and another for the poor. With the Brexit crisis looming and political uncertainty growing daily, we need to ensure that our voices are heard, our services properly funded and our people protected.

Let’s fight for it, with us and for us all.

Brenda Aitchison, Unison Scotland local government committee.