Unison Eastern Region Probation Branch

23/08/2026

“The prison overcrowding crisis is real. But women make up only a tiny fraction of the prison population. Their prisons, family relationships and, above all, sense of safety should not become collateral damage in solving this crisis.” - Cherie Blair CBE, Women in Prison Leadership Board Member.

Cherie’s message is clear: solving the crisis in men’s prisons cannot be at expense of women.

There is a better way: we could ease prison overcrowding if we stopped criminalising women experiencing domestic abuse, homelessness, and mental ill health, and started supporting them instead.

Find out more ➡ https://www.womeninprison.org.uk/newsletter/

23/08/2026

Members are regularly telling us that all areas of Probation work feel more complex and often more dangerous. Years of underfunding has left the Probation Service severely understaffed but at the same time having to deal with increasing risks. Probation needs proper funding and proper recognition for the work we do and also for the work that we have yet to under the new Sentencing Act.

https://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2026-08-20/drug-dealer-returns-to-prison-after-bringing-firearm-to-probation-appointment

17/08/2026

Pleased to welcome another new rep to our team! ✊️

22/06/2026

We have received numerous questions from members around the region in relation to this week's red weather warning. Please have a look at this handy guide and the employers heatwave guidance. Remember that an employer has a duty of care and must take all reasonable steps to ensure safety and comfort. Any questions please get in contact with the branch or your local health and safety representatives.
https://unison.org.uk/get-help/extreme-heat-work?fbclid=IwdGRjcASmciVjbGNrBKZyH2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHj5-SRzvD_s45wZQdyixGEyVrWM3OTjqzx0hYElCPRwid3A6VFfTmSTGHGRD_aem_4M5L0yD2Fhz7IxqlOg_Aqw

Extreme heat at work Climate change is significantly impacting worker safety and health, exposing them to higher daily temperatures and more frequent, severe heatwaves Last updated: 3 June 2026 Share this post Share on Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn In recent years, the UK has....

07/05/2026

Vote with public services and fairness in mind. Say no to the politics of hate!

🚨 Use your vote!
🗳️ Today there are elections for
- Scottish Parliament
- Welsh Senedd
- English local government
- London borough councils

Polls close at 10pm tonight. Find your polling station.
https://buff.ly/63Wo19W

06/05/2026

Tomorrow we all go to the polls to elect our local representatives. It is important that we vote for people who will stand up for public services. Use your vote, use the democratic process and be informed!

01/05/2026

UNISON statement on the antisemitic attack on the Jewish community in Golders Green today.

01/05/2026

✊ INTERNATIONAL WORKERS DAY 2026

Standing in solidarity with workers and trade unionists around the world today, and every day ✊💜

01/05/2026

Reflecting on the wins that we have seen over the past year in so many sectors. When we stand together we are powerful. It is our labour that keeps things moving, workers deserve to be well paid, safe and respected. Work should never be race to the bottom, we must strive for the best that can be achieved for all workers. Happy International Workers to all our members, to the wider and to workers everywhere.

17/04/2026

UNISON Members Vote to Accept 6% Pay Offer



UNISON members have voted by an overwhelming majority to accept the improved 6% pay offer for 2025 as follows:


· 62.9% turnout

· 88% voted to accept

· 12% voted to reject

UNISON’s Probation Committee met on 16 April after the ballot closed. In light of the ballot results, the Committee agreed to accept the pay offer on behalf of members. This has now been communicated to HMPPS.

A very big thank you to all the UNISON members who voted in the pay ballot. It was the support of members who voted to reject the previous 4% pay offer which gave such strong backing to UNISON to go back to demand a better deal. This shows what we can achieve as a trade union and stands us in good stead going forward.

If the pay offer is accepted by all three probation unions, HMPPS has indicated that it will pay the award in May salaries including backpay. We anticipate that HMPPS will announce the outcome of all the union ballots by close of play today – 17 April.

PAY AWARD

If accepted by the unions, the pay award, covering the period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026, will comprise:


6% increase on all pay points
6% increase on the following cash allowances:
London weighting: increase from £4,250 to £4,505/year
Prison Supplement increase from £737 to £781/year
​​​Standby allowance increase from £46.07 to £48.83
Deletion of the lowest pay point of pay band A (currently £53,995). Staff on this pay point will get a 9.2% pay rise
All increases to be backdated to 1 April 2025, including arrears relating to overtime, unsocial hours, prison supplement and standby allowance.

Further advice regarding universal credit and student loans from UNISON will be made available next week.








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