Title

HUMAN RESOURCES

Half of council staff considering quitting their job, survey finds

Half of council employees are thinking of leaving their job for less stressful work, according to a new survey by trade union Unison.

Half of council employees are thinking of leaving their job for less stressful work, according to a new survey by trade union Unison.

Six out of 10 council workers surveyed said they did not feel secure in their job, with more than half (53%) describing their workload as unmanageable.

More than half of those surveyed (53%) believe their council no longer delivers quality services, with 48% thinking their employer does not make the right decisions for the public.

Unison general secretary, Dave Prentis, said: ‘Local services are collapsing and council workers are being left to pick up the pieces and do the best they can amid the chaos.

'This disturbing survey should ring alarm bells in Whitehall, and also alert ministers to the crisis happening in councils up and down the country.

‘Local authorities have had to cut so many vital services that they have now reached a point where vulnerable children and the elderly struggle to get the help they need, entire communities are suffering and the public is being put at risk.'

HUMAN RESOURCES

Turning the dial on growth

By Mark Bretton | 01 May 2026

Delivering local growth has just got a lot harder, says Mark Bretton. But he believes Business Board leaders can bring value to local authorities, bypass the...

HUMAN RESOURCES

Professor in fiscal devolution dispute warning

By Neil Merrick | 30 April 2026

Fiscal devolution is almost certain to create disputes between regional mayors and councils over who spends most of the money that is raised locally, an expe...

HUMAN RESOURCES

EXCLUSIVE: 'Illegal' deal to end Birmingham strike risks £200m equal pay bill

By Martin Ford | 30 April 2026

Birmingham City Council could open itself up to equal pay liabilities worth £200m if a proposed deal unveiled by leader Cllr John Cotton goes ahead.

HUMAN RESOURCES

Children's service reforms lack 'foundations for success'

By Martin Ford | 30 April 2026

The Government must go further to fix children’s social care market, a think-tank has urged.

Popular articles by Laura Sharman