UNIONS have demanded investment in public services ahead of next week's Spring Statement as they warn that there must be “no return” to Tory-style austerity.

The TUC has reflected on how Covid exposed the dangers of under-resourcing public services after years of cuts as this weekend marks the fifth annivesary of the first pandemic lockdown.

Safe staffing levels were undermined by years of pay caps and freezes, which hindered recruitment and led to higher staff turnover, the union body said.

This left health and social care “dangerously understaffed” when the pandemic began.

With Labour delivering its spring statement next week, the TUC is calling for sustained investment in public services and its workforce.

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “We owe it to those who lost their lives — and to those workers who put their lives at risk — to make sure our public services are resilient enough to cope with another pandemic.

“That means sustained investment in health and social care and its workforce.

“The Conservatives took a sledgehammer to our cherished public services, leaving the NHS on its knees and struggling to cope when the pandemic hit.

“The Labour government has rightly increased health and education funding in the Budget, and gave many public service workers their first proper pay rise in years. But this cannot be a one off.”

The TUC added that insourcing public services, such as social care, will help rebuild the state and allow resources to be invested into front-line delivery over corporate profits.

Unison general secretary Christina McAnea said: “Britain’s public services were dangerously underfunded when the pandemic struck after a decade of spending cuts.

“Families and front-line staff paid a terrible price and there should be no return to those dark days.

“With a government now in place that recognises the importance of investing in the public sector, the Spring Statement must provide a spending boost that kickstarts the economy, creates jobs and improves services.

“There must be no return to Tory-style austerity.

“The NHS, social care and local government are among the areas in need of significant support to tackle huge funding shortfalls, waiting lists and a staffing crisis fuelled by low pay.”

The government has been contacted for comment.