PCS in the media round-up: July 2024

Press coverage for the month - during which we had 448 stories in the media - included long-running disputes. G4S members in DWP jobcentres continue to strike, while the proposed strike by outsourced ISS workers at DESNZ was called off after the union received an improved pay offer.

Our reactions to various government announcements – not least the King’s Speech, the closure of the Bibby Stockholm barge for asylum seekers and the Chancellor’s statement that noted a 5% pay increase or civil servants – were also covered by media outlets.

Other key stories concerned the high turnover of civil servants, our campaign to reinstate the sacked reps at HMRC Benton Park View, our campaign to ensure members can work from home, and our response to Keir Starmer’s suspension of Labour MPs for supporting the end of the two-child benefit cap.

Comparative advertising spend was £1.56 million (how much money we would have to spend on advertising to receive the same level of editorial coverage).

Some prominent stories from July included:

Mirror: NHS staff, teachers and police told their pay rises as millions given wage hikes

Newcastle Chronicle: Trade unionists protest outside HMRC Benton Park View over claims reps were ‘victimised’ and sacked

Financial Times: High turnover of civil servants raises concerns

Civil Service World: Civil service union eyes Supreme Court challenge over ‘pensions robbery’

Civil Service World: PCS calls off DESNZ strikes after contractor makes ‘improved’ pay offer

Civil Service World: Home Office to close Bibby Stockholm asylum barge

The Telegraph: Civil servants must be allowed to work from home, say unions

Civil Service World: Civil servants to get 5% pay rise

Tribune: Union leaders demand Starmer reinstates suspended MPs

Civil Service World: DESNZ security guards and cleaners accept pay offer