Bringing government facilities staff in-house is an “important step” towards biggest wave of insourcing in years
Around 2,000 low-paid facilities staff set to be brought in house after talks between Chancellor and PCS Union secure insourcing agreement
Wider government commitment to deliver 5 year roadmaps on insourcing across central government departments
Today’s announcement should be a “signal of intent” and “kickstart a serious programme of insourcing” across the public sector, says TUC
Responding to the announcement today (Wednesday) that around 2,000 facilities staff across government – in roles like cleaning, catering and security – are set to be brought in-house after talks with PCS Union, TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said:
“This is an important step towards the government’s promise to deliver the biggest wave of insourcing in a generation.
“It shows what’s possible when the government listens to and works with unions, identifying contracts which are failing workers and the services they deliver – and securing change.
“For far too long, rampant outsourcing has led to shareholders cashing in at the expense of workers and our public services.
“The scourge of outsourcing can be felt all the way through our public sector – from fragmentation of services to two-tier workforces, where outsourced staff are on worse pay and conditions than their directly employed colleagues.
“The government has promised to right this wrong by bringing outsourced public contracts back in house. Today’s announcement should be a signal of intent – and kickstart a serious programme of insourcing contracts across the public sector.
“This will ultimately stop money being wasted and help rebuild our public services, so they are run for public good – not for profit.”
ENDS
- The workers, employed in a wide range of essential roles including catering, security officers, cleaners, porters, engineers, plumbers, electricians, receptionists, handypersons and messenger services, deliver vital support to departments including the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the Department for Education (DfE) and the Cabinet Office.
- PCS Union’s response can be found here: https://www.pcs.org.uk/contact-us/press-media-contacts/pcs-welcomes-landmark-insourcing-win-2000-members
- About the TUC: The Trades Union Congress (TUC) exists to make the working world a better place for everyone. We bring together the 5.3 million working people who make up our 47 member unions. We support unions to grow and thrive, and we stand up for everyone who works for a living.
Contacts:
TUC press office
media@tuc.org.uk
020 7467 1248
Stay Updated
Want to hear about our latest news and blogs?
Sign up now to get it straight to your inbox