Health conference: business closes on privatisation and NHS England

Photos: Steve Forrest, Workers’ Photos

The final session of UNISON’s annual health conference, held in Liverpool, saw a set of motions on resisting privatisation and two emergency motions concerning the recently announced abolition of NHS England.

On privatisation, Sara Jane Gallimore moved the motion ‘Bring services home and resist privatisation’ on behalf of the operational services occupational group. She told delegates: “Operational services staff are often seen as being disposable but are actually fundamental in the running of services in the NHS.

Meanwhile, Chris Akaluka (pictured below), speaking to amend the motion noted: “Privatising facilities staff has a disproportionate impact on Black workers and their families, causing harm,” and arguing: “If Labour won’t commit to insourcing UNISON will have to mobilise resources to resist further privatisation.”

The motion noted the damaging effect of outsourcing on the One Team ethos and that it disproportionately affects the pay and terms and conditions of women, Black and low-paid members of staff.

It called on the health service group executive to hold the government to account and to promote UNISON’s Bringing Services Home campaign. While two other motions on a similar topic added that the service group executive should approach UNISON’s Labour Link department to lobby the government and call for the abolition of wholly owned subsidiary companies in the NHS.

Staffing cuts and the abolition of NHS England

The last two motions heard at health conference 2025 were emergency motions due to the announcement of the abolition of NHS England and the fear of staffing cu s a result of the publishing in late January of Planning Guidance for the NHS in England.

The motion noted “conference is concerned about the way these central requirements [of a 4% productivity increase alongside a 1% reduction in providers’ cost base] are beginning to be implemented on the ground.”

Moving the motion submitted by the health service group executive, Ben Metanga said: “While the new government has provided some extra funding, so much more is needed. And we are right to be concerned about the direction of recent health policy.

“The planning guidance issued at the start of the year lays out an expectation NHS providers will make cuts. And we are already seeing this demand play out on the ground – with trusts making plans to cut staff numbers.”

The motion also gave the example that “finance directors surveyed by the Health Service Journal in March 2025 reported an expectation of cuts to staff numbers, mostly in non-clinical roles.”

He finished by telling delegates: “Much will be expected of our union now – and rightly so. This motion sets out a template for action – let’s get on and do it.”

Meanwhile, Sarah Gallagher from the operational services group told conference: “Terms like frontline and back office are ways to try and divide us.” And, in reference to the increasing possibility for a two-tier workforce, she added: “It’s not just about terms and conditions and pensions. It’s about being part of the NHS.

The article Health conference: business closes on privatisation and NHS England first appeared on the UNISON National site.