Unison Leader Andrea Egan: Public Sector an 'Afterthought' Compared to North Sea Oil Jobs

Andrea Egan, general secretary of Unison, the UK's largest trade union, has accused the government of treating NHS, education, and care workers as an 'afterthought' compared to the intense political focus on protecting North Sea oil and gas jobs. Egan called for equal attention to public sector workers, who she says are just as vital to the nation's wellbeing. She specifically criticized the government's approval of the Jackdaw gas field, calling it 'a serious misstep' that prioritises fossil fuel jobs over climate commitments and public services. The comments come amid ongoing debates over the UK's energy transition and the future of North Sea employment, with unions and politicians clashing over how to balance economic security and environmental goals. Egan's intervention highlights growing frustration among public sector unions that their members are being overlooked in the government's industrial strategy. As the cost-of-living crisis deepens, the pressure on ministers to address pay and staffing in health, education, and care is unlikely to fade.