UNISON Library Briefing

I attended UNISON’s briefing for MPs on 24 February 2026. Unison have undertaken research highlighting how a lack of funding for local councils is severely undermining the ambitions contained within the Government’s Plan for Change.

The figures for Walsall show:

• A 61% decrease in the number of Council-run libraries between 2010 and 2023;
• an 83% decrease in the number of council library workers;
• a 96% decrease in the number of youth clubs between 2010 and 2024; 
• 78% of children centres and family hubs closed between 2010 and 2024

There should be improved levels of funding in the Spring Forecast to help rebuild our public library service and wider council services.