Our voice in the UK’s parliaments

Westminster

The unfolding Capita civil service pensions crisis dominated the first PCS parliamentary group meeting of 2026. The union has provided detailed briefings to parliamentary select committees, outlining Capita’s failings and the impact it’s had on our members – and has consistently argued for the work to be brought back in-house.

We hosted a briefing in parliament ahead of a Westminster Hall debate at which MPs spoke about the “human crisis”, highlighting the many cases of hardship among  their constituents due to the abject failure of Capita, and previously MyCSP, in running this contract. Early day motion 2710 has been signed by more than 40 MPs, calling on the work to be brought back into the civil service.

PCS also briefed MPs about Capita being awarded a major civil service payroll contract, and concerns were raised with Cabinet Office ministers on 5 March.

The union gave evidence to the international development committee inquiry into the impact of budget cuts at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), including plans for up to 2,000 job losses. Its interim report reflects our concerns and warns that the plans risk undermining the UK’s ability to respond to worsening global poverty. PCS General Secretary Fran Heathcote has emphasised that FCDO staff are dedicated professionals who are supporting vulnerable  communities and deserve respect and fair treatment, not rushed restructures and job cuts.

The Employment Rights Act (ERA) was passed in December and a ‘lunch and learn’ event was held during Heart Unions week to update our members on what it means. MP Andy McDonald, a key architect of Labour’s original plans, raised concerns about the law being diluted after lobbying from employer groups, such as the removal of day-one unfair dismissal protections.

He said: “The act is an historic step, but rights are never finished. They are won, defended, implemented and expanded… when Labour and the union movement move forward together.”

Lord John Hendy QC, who is campaigning for a second rights bill, said the act was a benefit to working people but the ERA should confront the cost-of-living crisis by “giving more power to trade unions to defend the interests of their members”. Fran Heathcote is also calling for a campaign to secure a second bill

Holyrood

PCS Scotland members set a clear, campaigning agenda for the year ahead when they gathered in Glasgow on 13 March for a well-attended annual conference. Delegates debated a wide range of motions reflecting the priorities of PCS members. Key debates centred on the future of work, equality and public services.

Measures supported included the removal of geographical barriers to career progression, highlighting the importance of hybrid working to sustaining rural communities. Conference also backed campaigning around the success of public sector pilots of the 4-day, 32-hour week.

On economic justice, delegates endorsed calls for a Scottish wealth tax and wider reform of the tax system to tackle deepening inequality. Strong positions were also taken against outsourcing and the Scottish Government’s ‘public service reform’ agenda. Delegates called for worker-led reform and reinvestment in frontline services.

Equality featured prominently, including demands for paid disability leave and revitalised equality networks within PCS Scotland.

Motions on AI raised concerns about job security, ethics and environmental impact.

On the international front, conference passed motions opposing militarisation, supporting peace campaigns, and reaffirming PCS’s anti-racist stance and pledge to challenging the far right.

The Senedd

The union attended Plaid Cymru conference for the first time, taking the PCS Wales manifesto  to candidates who are seeking election to the Senedd in May. PCS co-hosted a fringe event on tackling the far right, along with sister unions and Plaid’s trade union network UNDEB.

As well as speaking on wider policy objectives – some of which covered PCS Cymru’s demands – Plaid’s leader Rhun Ap Iorwerth committed to developing and securing the Welsh culture sector, which has been under-funded for over a decade. PCS members have been at the forefront of delivering the campaign for fair funding.

The PCS Wales annual delegate conference, on 6 March, also addressed the Senedd elections, as well as voting on motions on equality and tackling the rise of the far right. Delegates warned that Reform may rollback devolution, slash public sector jobs and Welsh language cultural and language funding, and attack the rights of women, LGBT+ and disabled people.

A motion about the structural underfunding of Wales by Westminster passed unanimously, asked the Wales executive committee to lead a trade union campaign for full funding to meet people’s needs and popularise our demands on issues such as pay and a shorter working week.

In the protracted Office for National Statistics dispute over office attendance, significant gains have been made in negotiations.

Stormont

As the ‘Good Jobs’ employment rights bill progresses, PCS has increased engagement with the first minister, Michelle O’Neill, minister for the economy Dr Caoimhe Archibald, and cross-party MLAs.

It is vital for workers’ rights and trade unionism that the bill is passed through the  NI Assembly. Now that the Employment Rights Act 2025 has passed in Britain, NI workers’ rights are falling behind the rest of the UK, and our union is demanding ‘parity plus’.

PCS and all Irish Congress affiliates will be attending a meeting with the minister for the economy with workplace reps on 16 April.

The union responded to the consultation on the draft NI budget for 2026-29. It was disappointing that the format appeared to seek to prioritise one public service over another. Irish Congress previously issued a report, ‘Smart Money: Better options for Northern Ireland’s public finances’, which called for a long-term realignment of the NI economy to achieve fiscal sustainability, including: dropping the debt currently crippling finances; introducing a mechanism to enable real transformation of public services; replacing the Barnett Formula; and making tax changes  at Westminster.

The PCS Regional Committee for Ireland met in February to develop a mission statement of our goals for supporting members and reps. The key goals are recruitment and retention, equality and political campaigning.