Behind The Service: A UNISON Insight into Local Government

Ranking history

About the show

Latest episodes

• Mo Baines (APSE) and Clare Williams (UNISON) talk about all things local government reorganisation #21

  April 7, 2026 · 49 min

  Episode 21 is all about local government reorganistion in England, with a smidgeon of English devolution thrown in for good measure. UNISON members are committed to ensuring high-quality public services, and there is genuine concern about…

• The Local Government Activists Reshaping Britain's Public Sector with Glen Williams and Lorraine Thomson #20

  October 22, 2025 · 47 min

  Welcome back to Behind the Service, and in this episode we’re shining a light on activism and the Service Group Executive (SGE) - invaluable parts of the change we’re able to make. Glen Williams and Lorraine Thomson are two pioneering…

• ‘No Jobs on a Dead Planet’: How We Combat Climate Change Together with Stephen Smellie & Michelle Singleton #19

  September 23, 2024 · 40 min

  There is only one planet for us, and saving it from the climate crisis has been atop UNISON’s agenda for decades - so how do we continue that fight today? With September’s Green UNISON Week, this episode of the podcast focuses on the huge…

• The Care Sector’s Unsung Heroes with Samantha Thornton and Gavin Edwards #18

  August 23, 2024 · 45 min

  The care sector has a glimmer of hope in the form of a new National Care Service, but such optimism comes after too many years of unsung heroes keeping the sector together. One such hero is Dimension UK’s Samantha Thornton, who joins us on…

• Could your council go bankrupt? with Alan Waters & Laura Webster #17

  May 23, 2024 · 43 min

  14 years of austerity has hit local government services brutally, but have you ever wondered about the extent of the damage caused? Between Alan Waters’ experience as Former Leader of Norwich City Council and Laura Webster’s time working…

• Why YOUR Pension Matters and How to Get Fair Compensation with UNISON’s Head of Pensions, Glyn Jenkins #16

  May 1, 2024 · 29 min

  The LGPS, contrary to what some would have you believe, is a vital benefit to those working in the public sector. That’s why it’s so important for us to ensure two things: that we understand it, and that we provide our support to ensure…

• UNISON’s World-Leading Work for the LGBT+ Community with Eileen Best & Mitchell Coe #15

  March 20, 2024 · 23 min

  The headway we’ve made in recent years on LGBT+ rights is wonderful and to be celebrated, yet there’s so much more to achieve as we enter 2024: UNISON’s Year of LGBT+ Workers. Two fantastic leaders for UNISON’s work with LGBT+ communities…

• There For You: UNISON’s Charity with Tony Wright and Abi Coombs #14

  January 17, 2024 · 24 min

  Welcome back to the UNISON Local Government Podcast - we’re kicking off 2024 with a look at one of the most essential services for UNISON members: There For You. UNISON’s welfare charity provides support to thousands of members in need…