Press Release
As part of UNISON Falkirk’s ongoing campaign against proposed cuts to Falkirk Council’s Community Learning & Development Service, there will be a public demonstration at the Municipal Buildings, Falkirk at 10.30 on Saturday 28th January 2017.
Council proposals totalling more than £1.3m are aimed at completely stopping all adult educational services in the community, and youth services in selected council areas. As well as affecting service users across Falkirk, the proposals would result in 138 council employees losing their jobs.
UNISON’s Anthony Beekman said “We are extremely concerned about the effect on local services that these cuts will have. From parents and toddlers groups to youth groups to senior citizens groups, no area of the community will remain unaffected. And to top it all off, 138 people will lose their jobs, creating misery for them and their family as well as the wider community.”
Beekman continued “It is totally unacceptable that these cuts are being passed on to local communities in this way and we ask Falkirk Council to go back to the drawing board and spare their residents from these damaging plans.”
“We are well aware that Falkirk Council is in a financial crisis due to Scottish Government cuts to council budgets, which have seen 7,000 jobs lost across Scotland since April 2016. UNISON calls on the Scottish Government to ensure they put people first and ensure fair funding for Scotland’s councils. Nevertheless we call on Falkirk Council to step up and defend the services our communities rely on” said Gray Allan, Branch Secretary.
UNISON Falkirk would urge everyone to get behind our campaign and protect Community Learning & Development Services in Falkirk.
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For further information contact:-
UNISON Falkirk’s Anthony Beekman 0772 085 0654
UNISON Scotland’s John Mooney 07956852838