Dear constituent,

Thank you for contacting me about the vital work of council staff in our constituency and across the country.

Despite financial pressures, the response of local authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic has been remarkable. I pay tribute to care staff, refuse collectors, social workers, and all local government staff for their significant contribution in the national effort. They have continued to provide social care for elderly and disabled people under difficult circumstances, found accommodation for rough sleepers ​at short notice, supported local businesses, and co-ordinated support for vulnerable groups.

The work that local authorities do is central to addressing this public health emergency and in helping to hold local communities together. The pandemic has demonstrated beyond all doubt just how important their work is. I recognise your concerns, however, that many of those on the frontline have been undervalued and underpaid for too long.

The trade union UNISON estimates that council workers’ wages have fallen by 25% in real-terms since 2010. Alongside Unite and the GBM, it described the National Employers’ recent pay offer of 1.5% as “disappointing”, especially after a year in which council staff have done so much to help local communities. I understand that trade unions have asked for urgent talks to take place with National Employers.

At the start of this pandemic, the Government pledged to do “whatever is necessary” to support local councils. Yet financial pressures are affecting their ability to provide essential services.

Rather than listening to councils and giving them the resources they need, the Government has instead asked them to increase council taxes across the country at a time when the UK economy faces the worst recession in three centuries.

I believe we owe frontline workers and the whole country a vision of a better future when we come through this pandemic. Ministers should honour their pledge to do whatever it takes to help local government, and provide the national leadership, focus and attention council staff deserve.

Thank you once again for contacting me about this important issue.

Yours sincerely,

Peter Dowd MP