UNISON Briefing: Scrutinising the Peopletoo Review

Dear Members,
We know many of you are concerned about the ongoing review by external consultants Peopletoo, especially with reports of potential savings targets and service changes. We want to reassure you that UNISON is fully engaged in scrutinising this process and challenging anything that could negatively impact your jobs, workload, or working conditions.

What is happening?
Barnet Council has brought in Peopletoo to conduct a “diagnostic review” of services across the Council, The Barnet Group (TBG), and Barnet Education and Learning Service (BELS). Their brief is to identify potential efficiencies and service improvements – but the context includes a pressure to find at least £20 million in savings.

What are we doing about it?
UNISON is:

• Demanding transparency: We’ve asked that both the interim and final reports are shared with trade unions before decisions are made – not after.
• Insisting on fair treatment: We’ve made clear that any proposals affecting jobs must include full Equality Impact Assessments (EqIAs), and that unions must be involved at every stage.
• Raising detailed questions: We’ve submitted tough questions to Peopletoo on job protection, pay transparency, the risk of redundancies, and whether their recommendations could overload already stretched teams.
• Pushing for staff voices: We’ve asked how frontline staff views are being included, and how decisions will be shaped by your experience – not imposed from above.

What are we watching closely?

• Whether Peopletoo’s recommendations lead to cuts through the back door (e.g. unfilled vacancies or merged teams).
• The risk of increased workload and stress if “efficiencies” mean doing more with less.
• Unequal treatment between Council staff and those in TBG or BELS – we are insisting on a level playing field for all staff.
• Any attempt to avoid scrutiny of senior management or consultants while frontline staff face pressure.

What you can do:

• Talk to your UNISON rep if you have concerns or see changes happening without consultation.
• Share your experiences: We want to make sure your voice is part of our response.
• Stay informed – we will keep you updated as the interim report is released (expected late June) and decisions begin to take shape.

UNISON is committed to protecting your jobs, defending fair treatment, and holding consultants to account. We will not accept changes being made to you, without being done with you.

In solidarity,

Barnet UNISON Branch