This is the summer of our discontent.
The railways have already been brought to their knees, classrooms have been disrupted, healthcare environments and courts impacted and now the Scottish police service is following suit.
The general secretary of the body representing rank-and-file officers has described the move to remove goodwill working as the “most overt demonstration of action” by members in more than a century.
This is the most significant discontent in the police service since the 1970s, and the most overt demonstration of action by our members in over 100 years. #PolicePay https://t.co/Sls7U6YmS2
— Calum Steele (@CalumA_Steele) June 29, 2022
But looking at the macro-economic environment, it is not difficult to understand why there is such widespread anger and discontent.
The cost of living is soaring at the same time that the money in people’s pockets is diminishing.
The squeeze is on.
The business sector – already weighed down by the twin impacts of Covid and Brexit – is already struggling to respond to increased cost pressures.
How the public sector responds will be instructive. Governments in London and Edinburgh have multiple fires to fight right now but only have a finite pot of money available to quell the flames.
It is a dilemma, but it is one that must be resolved.
Ordinary workers kept the country going through Covid, their pleas for help deserve to be heard.
City doesn’t have money to burn
Dundee’s much-loved Lochee and Baxter Park fireworks displays are now no longer.
The argument that it is not viable to set fire to thousands of pounds of taxpayers’ cash is certainly one that will resonate.
But it is a decision that raises safety risks about people putting on DIY fireworks events at home.
Regardless, many will mourn the loss of a colourful city celebration.
Conversation