Dear Brother / Sister
The Westminster government published the new Public Service Pensions Bill on 13 September 2012. This bill includes references to the proposed firefighters' pension scheme 2015.
The draft legislation includes a section on public sector pension scheme Normal Pension Ages (NPAs).
On page 5 it outlines the government's proposal for the fire service scheme
9 Pension age
(1) The normal pension age of a person under a scheme under section 1 must be€”
(a) the same as the person's state pension age, or
(b) 65, if that is higher.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to€”
(a) fire and rescue workers who are firefighters,
(b) members of a police force, and
(c) members of the armed forces.
The normal pension age of such persons under a scheme under section 1 must be 60.
The full document can be accessed using this link :-
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/2012-2013/0070/2013070.pdf
Obviously, this contradicts the position currently being pursued by the FBU, and you will be aware that the CLG Minister has established a review to consider the issues and the appropriate Normal Pension Age within the Fire Service. This work is already under way as previously reported, and the union is currently preparing various evidence for submission. In that context, the FBU continues to oppose the NPA proposed in government documents such as the 'Heads of Agreement' and now the Public Service Pensions Bill. It is clear that the proposed NPA (60) is unworkable. This is already the case with the NPA within the current New Firefighters Pension Scheme (NFPS) introduced in 2006 and the union continues to challenge that too. These issues are due to be addressed by the current pension age review.
We will be discussing these issues, including the pensions bill, as part of a planned meeting with the newly appointed CLG Fire Minister on 17 September. The issues will then be discussed at the Executive Council meeting scheduled for 18, 19 and 20 September.
Members will receive more information following these meetings.
Best wishes.
Yours fraternally
Matt Wrack
General Secretary
2012HOC0518MW
