Category: News

Barnet UNISON reps are having conversations every week with low-paid members who are exhausted, demoralised, and afraid for their children’s future. They see prices rising, wages stuck, and public services falling apart. And they hear, again and again, the same excuse: “There’s no money.”

That’s the biggest conspiracy theory of our time.

There is money. In fact, the UK is wealthier than ever before—just not for the people who make it work. Billionaires in this country have more than doubled their wealth since 2008.

During the pandemic, the richest 1% grew even richer while key workers—care staff, cleaners, school catering workers, housing and security staff—were thanked with applause, then handed real-terms pay cuts.

In Barnet, we see how this lie plays out. Council services have been outsourced to private companies on the promise of efficiency and cost savings. The reality? Poorer working conditions, lower pay, and services run for profit, not people.

That’s why Barnet UNISON is demanding that school catering, cleaning, care work, housing services, parking enforcement and security staff all be brought back in-house. Public money should be spent on public services—not drained off into shareholders’ pockets.

When services are outsourced, it’s not just workers who lose out. Residents get less accountable, more fragmented services.

UNISON nationally is clear: We want proper funding for local government, fair and inflation-proofed pay awards, and an end to outsourcing. And we in Barnet are fighting to make that a reality in our own borough.

But there’s a deeper issue we need to confront: why so many of our lowest-paid colleagues have come to believe the lie that there simply isn’t enough money.

It’s not just bad economics—it’s psychological warfare.

After a decade of austerity, the working class has been made to believe the idea that they must sacrifice, while the rich are told they deserve more.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

A wealth tax—just a small one—on the richest 1% could raise tens of billions every year. Even a 1% tax on wealth above £10 million could help rebuild our services and give dignity to our most vital workers. But the political will is missing, because the people at the top benefit from the status quo.

The role of our union is not just to negotiate pay—it’s to organise hope. To help members imagine something better. To challenge the story that poverty is inevitable.

Poverty is political, not natural. It’s a choice.

The truth is simple: the money is there. What’s missing is justice, courage, and power in the hands of the workers who keep our communities alive.

That’s why we’re fighting. To end outsourcing. To win fair pay. To bring services back in-house. And to expose the cruelest conspiracy of all: that we must settle for less while the super-rich keep more money than they can ever use.

Solidarity.

Barnet UNISON.

Dear Members,

Barnet UNISON is continuing to advocate on behalf of our social work members regarding the issue of professional registration fees.

We recently wrote to the employer requesting that Barnet Council consider covering the cost of annual professional registration fees for social workers. This request was made in recognition of the fact that registration with Social Work England is a statutory requirement—without it, social workers cannot legally practice or be employed in their role.

In response, the employer reiterated their current policy of not paying professional subscriptions for staff, citing that such requirements are already considered within the job evaluation process. They also expressed concerns about affordability and fairness across different professions.

We have responded to this position by highlighting that:

• Social workers are uniquely impacted by this statutory requirement, which is not optional and must be renewed annually.
• This ongoing cost is not currently reflected in the job evaluation process, despite repeated concerns raised by UNISON over the years.
• Other councils do support their social workers with this cost, and we believe Barnet should review its stance in light of this growing trend.

We have formally requested a meeting with senior management and HR to discuss this issue further and explore potential solutions, including a review of the job evaluation process and possible financial support options.

📌 Please keep an eye out for further updates as we continue to push for a fair and equitable outcome for our members.

If you have any questions on this matter, please email Barnet UNISON at contactus@barnetunison.org.uk.

In solidarity, Barnet UNISON