In the realm of public safety, there exists a glaring oversight that demands immediate attention. It relates to the plight of workers employed into the late hours, only to find themselves abandoned, vulnerable, and left to fend for themselves once their shift is over. This is precisely why Unite, the formidable force of the UK trade union movement, has launched the Get Me Home Safely campaign, highlighting the urgent need for a licensing requirement mandating safe transportation options for staff in licensed premises.

We find ourselves confronted by a stark reality: the status quo poses grave risks, particularly for women. Government surveys reveal that a staggering 57% of women feel unsafe when using public transport, while a distressing 84% have admitted to experiencing insecurity when waiting for a bus in the early hours of the night.

As we delve deeper into the issue, it becomes increasingly evident that certain regions, such as East Durham, are left bereft of functional transport infrastructure that crumbles into non-existence during the evening and night. We live in the shadow of austerity and neglect that has led to over three thousand local authority-supported bus routes cut since 2009, leaving late night-time economy workers at the mercy of limited and unreliable transport options.

At the heart of this campaign lies an unwavering belief: that everyone should have access to a safe route home. Unite demands that employers, local authorities, and the government collaborate to deliver sustainable solutions to safeguard the well-being of workers who endure late-night shifts.

The Get Me Home Safely campaign is based on the real-life experiences of workers themselves and represents a resolute call to action to combat gender-based violence both within the workplace and the broader community. Employers owe their workers a duty of care and safety should never be compromised.

Unite’s Get Me Home Safely campaign is a call for transformative change at every level and highlights important issues about our society and economy.

Affordability: The campaign sheds light on the crippling financial burden placed upon low-paid workers, whose meagre wages can be quickly depleted if they use the limited late-night taxis. In a cost-of-living crisis, when everyone is counting the pennies, late-time workers are left with little choice except a dangerous walk home in the darkness of night. The exorbitant cost of travel has led to a national £2 single-fare scheme; however, the value of this scheme is dependent on transport options which are not available in the early hours.

Licencing: A solution has been adopted by large councils across the country. Local Government have it within their power to require licensing boards to set conditions requiring employers to provide safe transportation provisions for workers operating past the 11 pm threshold. These regulations should be rolled out nationally making employers accountable for staff travelling safety.

Local Transport: Privatisation has failed our communities. Lifeline services for those working in the night-time economy and unsociable hours have been lost. This compromises public safety, removes opportunity, and is bad for the economy. We need to revise the values that underpin our public services. We need municipal ownership of buses, run for people, not profits, providing the full range of services including profitable routes, social routes (such as health and education) and non-profitable but vital public service routes such as late night, off-peak, evenings and weekends. Municipal ownership would guarantee accountable, accessible, and reliable options for workers, granting everyone a safe route home.

Partnership: We must work in partnership between employers, staff, local and national government. A licencing requirement to mandate safe transport home will place a responsibility on employers. However, the businesses of our night-time economy should demand from local and national governments a comprehensive public transport system that serves our economy around the clock and when it is required.

Unite’s Get Me Home Safely campaign is about justice and equality. It is a statement about the type of society and economy in which we choose to live and work.

This is a collective campaign and whether we are a business, employee, councillor, or MP, we need to use our platform and voice to call for action that will create safer communities for our family, friends and loved ones.