Submitted by SWFBU on
TO: ALL MEMBERS
Dear Brother/Sister
FIREFIGHTER PENSIONS: DEBATE IN HOUSE OF COMMONS
FBU members will have been following closely the work around Early Day Motion 454 and the following debate in the House of Commons. It is important for our campaign to carefully review at every stage what has happened and what steps have been taken by our opponents. The Executive Council is currently engaged in this process. Throughout this campaign, our case has been based on a careful and thorough examination of the evidence and a careful and thorough exposure of the flaws in the case made by government. You will appreciate the need for accuracy in this process.
EDM 454
Public service pension schemes are established through secondary legislation (Statutory Instruments). It is very difficult to challenge this process through parliament. Nevertheless, with the assistance of the FBU Parliamentary Group, we identified a mechanism by means of the ‘prayer’ and the Early Day Motion.
• EDM454 was initially sponsored and supported only by members of the FBU Parliamentary Group.
• We then convinced Labour Shadow Ministers on Local Government and Fire (Hilary Benn and Lyn Brown) to give support.
• We were then able to convince Ed Miliband to support and become the primary sponsor. This enabled us to win the signatures and support of the vast majority of Labour MPs.
• At the same time we lobbied and campaigned so that eventually every other opposition party had supporters of EDM 454.
• We also won the support of 22 Liberal Democrats (of which more later).
It was this that laid the basis for the demand for a debate and vote. This call was made in good time and prior to the end of the legislative process. The call was made by Hilary Benn in a letter to Penny Mordaunt. There was no guarantee that the government would agree to or grant such a debate.
Lobbying by FBU members
FBU members have engaged in an outstanding lobbying campaign during this period. This has included lobbying at local level, by letter, email and phone call and by large numbers attending the House of Commons regularly for several weeks. The extent of this lobbying effort has been noted across the board by politicians in parliament. It has impressed many and has significantly rattled our opponents.
A significant feature of this lobbying by FBU members has been that many have refused to accept the simplistic and inaccurate responses provided by MPs to the questions asked. It became clear to firefighters that there was absolutely nothing to fear from talking to or challenging MPs on these issues since firefighters are far more familiar with the evidence and with the reality of our occupation than any MP, Minister or civil servant. This lobbying activity should continue and MPs should continue to be asked for support – or to be challenged over the arguments.
Debate in House of Commons
The government agreed to hold the debate on Monday 15 December. The House of Commons was attended by hundreds of firefighters in uniform. MPs are simply not used to being observed, scrutinised and challenged in this way. It was clearly uncomfortable for many. Throughout the debate both the current Fire Minister and her predecessor, refused to even glance in the direction of the 150 uniformed firefighters sitting in the public gallery. Many, many more were unable to gain access and watched the debate in a venue arranged by the union nearby.
It is important to note that there were several developments during the day or shortly following, apart from the debate.
• A written ministerial statement was made on the issues of pensions, fitness and capability.
• Correspondence was sent to the opposition on the same issue.
• The Department (DCLG) finalised its response to a public consultation on: Firefighter fitness standards and assessment.
We are now assessing all of these. You will appreciate the need for thoroughness and accuracy. All documents and statements will be analysed for accuracy and for contradictions. We will assess the claims made and any promises given in the House of Commons. The process of holding government Ministers to account is not remotely over. Claims made may also have implications for consideration by our lawyers in relation to legal challenges which we are finalising.
The vote
You will be aware that the vote was won by the government by 313 votes to 261. It was noted that the highest number of MPs on the government benches during the debate was 43. Despite this, 313 of them were apparently well enough ‘informed’ to turn out to vote for the government attack on our pensions.
Some powerful points were made during the debate and firefighters will want to thank those who spoke up for us, including a number of longstanding friends and allies. This included leading members of the FBU Parliamentary Group, including Secretary and Chair, John McDonnell MP and Kate Hoey MP. The importance of our Parliamentary Group was demonstrated by the whole process. The Hansard report of the debate can be found via the parliamentary website below and then following the subject heading “Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (England)”. Please note that this is the second reference to firefighter pensions during the afternoon’s business:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmhansrd/cm141215/debi...
We are currently analysing the vote and will report on this in a further circular or bulletin. However, FBU members will be shocked and alarmed that six Liberal Democrats who supported EDM 454 subsequently voted for the government. These were Duncan Hames, John Hemming, Mark Hunter, Ian Swales, Mike Thornton and David Ward. No doubt our members will be speaking to them to ask why this happened.
Further analysis of the vote will follow.
Approaching General Election
We are now just five months away from a General Election. This is a chance to challenge those politicians who have attacked our pensions, our jobs and our Service as well as overseeing the worst fall in workers’ living standards in recent history.
FBU members should note that the pension regulations being introduced for 2015 can be amended. Modern pensions for firefighters were first introduced in 1947, after years of campaigning by the FBU and after the experiences of firefighting during the Second World War. The FBU subsequently campaigned for and won various improvements in pension arrangements; survivor benefits, ill-health and injury benefits, improved commutation arrangements etc. We shall continue to do so.
One highly significant development has been winning official Labour Party support to oppose the regulations. We shall now ask Ed Miliband and his team to be clear about what their position would be if they form a government after May. In this process, the continued campaigning of FBU members will again be vital.
Assessing the situation and next steps
It is clear to anyone who watched the debate or who reads the transcript, that the government lost the argument. Indeed, nobody apart from the Minister even attempted to make the case for the government position. The lack of understanding of the issues from the government benches was truly shocking and FBU members will have had their eyes opened about some of the failures of the system of scrutiny and accountability.
The Executive Council has started the process of reviewing the situation in the light of the debate. However, you are asked to note that this requires some considerable work and discussion, including with our pension advisors, our lawyers and with various politicians.
Members are asked to note:
Nothing in the debate or vote in the House of Commons alters the lawful status of our trade dispute – including whatever further industrial action is called. That is solely a matter for our members. It is none of the business of Ministers, other politicians or Chief Fire Officers. Anyone who wants a say in what the FBU does in our campaign – should submit an application form for membership which will be considered by the local Branch and the Brigade Committee.
Arrangements are being made for further urgent meetings of the Executive Council to be convened as soon as possible. In addition:
• The Executive Council asked for an updated report to be prepared on the current status of our legal challenges and for this report to be brought to the next meeting of the Executive Council.
• Executive Council members will also be meeting with local committees to discuss our next steps.
• Further information and analysis regarding the House of Commons debate will be issued as soon as possible.
• The action short of strike previously notified remains in place for (non-Control) members in England, Scotland and Wales. This and other options for industrial action will be considered at the next meeting of the Executive Council. Members are asked to ensure that local officials are aware of the views of all Branches.
• The Executive Council agreed to put in place arrangements for a recall of the union’s Conference in the New Year. Details will follow.
FBU members can be extremely proud of the work done during this phase of our campaign. Our message to those politicians who oppose us is that we have won the arguments, we remain determined and our fight goes on.
Stand together.
Yours in unity
MATT WRACK
GENERAL SECRETARY
