Commenting on the publication of the first report by the Covid-19 Inquiry today (Thursday), which highlights ‘significant flaws’ in the UK’s preparedness for a pandemic, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:
“This first report shows how austerity was a reckless act of self-sabotage that fatally undermined the UK’s resilience and preparedness for a pandemic.
“Savage spending cuts left key workers and the public vulnerable. Almost everyone knows someone who died or lost a loved one. Others saw their work opportunities vanish or their education suffer.
“Staff in hospitals and care homes witnessed the terrible human cost first hand. Many died because of poor-quality safety kit – or a complete absence of it – in the early days. And all because the then government had sold the UK short.
“The government’s failure to plan meant the NHS went into the pandemic over 100,000 employees down. Ministers had ignored the growing workforce crisis, forcing the NHS to draft in students, retired health workers and volunteers in a desperate attempt to fill the huge staffing void.
“Care workers were effectively abandoned as the virus raged through care homes. They had to beg managers for protective gear and were denied tests. Poverty sick pay rates meant many staff carried on working when they should have been isolating at home.
“The most fitting memorial to everyone who died or who had their lives changed forever would be for proper lessons to be learned. The same mistakes can never be repeated. The UK must be better prepared next time.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: l.chinchen@unison.co.uk
Fatima Ayad M: 07508 080383 E: f.ayad@unison.co.uk
The article UK Covid-19 Inquiry shows austerity was ‘reckless self-sabotage’ first appeared on the UNISON National site.
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