Wed 17 Mar 2004

WIN-WIN BUDGET - SAYS UNISON

Commenting on today's Budget, UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis said: "This is a win-win budget for people and public services. Gordon Brown knows that by investing in our public services he is investing in our future. He's had the courage and foresight to plan further ahead than many politicians usually do. It will pay dividends in years to come."

" Staff morale on the wards and in the classrooms will be lifted by the Chancellor's determination to continue that investment. And patients and children will reap the benefits. The Chancellor has made a conscious decision to continue investment in our public services and a conscious decision to reject the old Tory philosophy of tax cuts.

"For the first time we have a government committed to long term investment in public services rather than the Tory's stop/go policies that have characterised government since 1945."

Matt Smith, UNISON's Scottish Secretary said "There is a clear difference between this government investing in the future and the Tory pledges to cut billions from schools and hospitals. The budget reflects Scottish people's priorities of better public services, better schools and better hospitals.

"We particularly welcome the Chancellor's specific commitment to early years education. Whilst we will need to see how Scotland's share is to be apportioned, it is surely fair that some of this money goes to pay those who deliver the early years care and education on the front line. It looks to me as if CoSLA now has little or no reason not to settle the nursery nurses dispute."

Ends

Further information from Anne Mitchell - London - on 0207 383 0717 or Chris Bartter - Scotland - 07715 583 729

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