Submitted by SWFBU on
TO: ALL MEMBERS
Dear Brother/Sister
PENSION CAMPAIGN: FURTHER UPDATE
There has been a lot of political activity and discussions in recent weeks in all parts of the UK and so it is timely to try and summarise the most up-to-date position on pensions for all FBU members to consider.
Northern Ireland
As a result of political engagement and intensive negotiations between the FBU and Ministers, FBU members in Northern Ireland are currently being consulted on a new pension scheme the key feature of which is a Normal Pension Age (NPA) of 55 for firefighters. The scheme does not satisfy all our concerns as it is still achieved within the Westminster Government's imposed financial parameters. However, it should be acknowledged that this is the only proposed pension scheme in the UK for public sector workers with an NPA of 55. The Executive Council will meet next week and will receive feedback from the initial consultation with our members in Northern Ireland.
Scotland
In addition to earlier progress, continued negotiations between the FBU and the Scottish Government has led to a draft regulation being prepared that will provide the statutory underpinning to the previous assurances protecting against the 'No Job No Pension' implication. This would allow a firefighter who is forced to retire from age 55 through no fault of their own (other than due to the effects of ageing on their fitness) to receive an unreduced pension. Members will appreciate that it is important that any such regulation provides the protection we seek for members. Therefore this matter also involves seeking detailed legal advice on the drafting of a regulation.
The Scottish Government has also picked up on the work undertaken during negotiations in England with the Fire Minister, Brandon Lewis earlier this year - work that was verified by the Government Actuary Department (GAD) but as yet the Westminster Government has refused to act on. By contrast, the Scottish Government has committed (in principle) to offer the same or similarly improved actuarial reductions for those joining the 2015 scheme and who may retire from age 55. This would be subject to the Scottish Government's own actuarial calculations confirming the overall cost would remain inside the Westminster Government's imposed financial parameters. The Executive Council will review progress at our meeting scheduled next week.
Wales
Discussions between the FBU and Welsh Government has remained cordial but without any improvement in the pension scheme proposals being made by DCLG in England. However, the Welsh Minister, Lesley Griffiths, stated last week that whilst the Welsh Government has long-maintained parity with the English pension scheme, she is now willing to consider departing from this. Accordingly, the Welsh Minister has confirmed she is waiting detailed actuarial advice on the improved actuarial reductions that arose from the negotiations earlier this year with Brandon Lewis. Providing such alternative pension proposals are affordable to the Welsh Government, she has committed as a minimum to include them in a formal consultation exercise in the autumn. Detailed discussions and meetings between the FBU and the Welsh Minister's department continue. The Executive Council will review progress at our meeting scheduled next week.
England
The new DCLG Fire Minister, Penny Mordaunt has agreed to the urgent interim meeting outlined in the previous update circular. We hope for a frank exchange in that meeting, conducted in a suitably confidential manner where the Minister can clarify for the FBU negotiators exactly what the issues are she has openly stated she is considering and what work she has said she is undertaking and expects will conclude by the week commencing 8th September. The Executive Council will reconvene next week to receive a report from the talks and to assess whether the new Minister's intentions are genuinely aimed at considering improved proposals or are simply a tactic aimed at stringing along the FBU and the uniformed professionals whose pensions are at stake.
I trust the brief summary of the situation across the UK provides a useful update for all members to consider and discuss at their Branch. Further updates will be issued as circumstances develop.
Best wishes.
Yours fraternally
MATT WRACK
GENERAL SECRETARY
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