State machinery was widely employed to secure favourable outcomes in India’s recent regional elections against three progressive regional governments who dared to challenge Narendra Modi, asserts VIJAY PRASHAD
YOU could be forgiven for thinking the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill lays out a vision for a national care service in Scotland. You would be wrong.
It is a “framework” Bill. That means it gives no detail at all about what a national care service would look like, but if passed, would enable Scottish ministers to decide that without proper parliamentary scrutiny. It promises “co-design” but does not commit to listening or acting on what comes out of that.
Essentially it asks us to trust ministers to design a service that will meet the needs of staff and service users alike, leaving our members in social work and social care hostages to fortune.
The election offers a critical chance to shape the future of pay, care and community provision in Wales, says Unison’s JESS TURNER
Roger McKenzie talks to general secretary of Unison CHRISTINA McANEA about the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on members, the local government funding emergency and the threat of Reform UK
The visa system traps workers with abusive employers, creating a vulnerable workforce scared to complain for fear of deportation — that is why we’re campaigning for a ‘common sponsorship’ model instead, writes FAVOUR DAVIDKING
With 121,000 vacancies and 44.8% of staff feeling unwell from work stress, the NHS 10-year plan will not succeed unless the government takes immediate action to retain existing staff, writes ANNETTE MANSELL-GREEN



