UNISON vowed today to continue its campaign for long-term sustainable funding for public services.

The union also agreed to organise a high-profile national demonstration to demand increased spending on public services and more taxes on the rich instead of hiking military spending.

NEC speaker Sarah Evans said: “We must be the voice that cuts through the political spin. We must remind the public who kept society running through the pandemic.”

She said that “we need a demonstration as soon as possible” to stand up for public services.

Micaela Tracey-Ramos, of the NEC, slammed the increase in military spending.

“This dramatic increase is coming at the expense of public services,” she said.

“The Alternative Defence Review shows the importance of increasing spending on public services.

“The review shows how military spending is ‘economically regressive’ and why we need real investment in public services, not war.”

Ms Ramos said: “We must robustly oppose this drive to war.”

Birmingham health worker Andy Chaffer said: “If you want to stop people fleeing war you have to stop the wars.

“Stop funding warfare and start funding welfare.”