The Fire Brigades Union has condemned central government for today’s imposition of further increases in firefighters’ pension contributions.
Firefighters already pay one of the highest pension contribution rates in the public or private sector and now face further increases, which threaten the future of their pension scheme. The increases mean that an experienced firefighter will pay 12.9% of salary, with another hike expected next year.
Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary said: “Firefighters already pay some of the highest pension contributions anywhere in the UK. Firefighters will be angry and disappointed at this announcement. We will now be discussing with our members our response to these increases and to the government’s ridiculous proposals for forcing firefighters to work longer and longer.
The increases mean that a competent firefighter in the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme will pay 12.9% from April, with officers such as station managers paying 13.5%. Younger and retained firefighters in the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme will pay 9.6% from next month – with the prospect of 13.2% from 2015.
Wrack added: “We have presented a huge amount of evidence to government about all pension matters where they have proposed change. The government is ignoring all the evidence about the risk of making the pension unaffordable. They are ignoring their own evidence of firefighters opting out. They are pressing ahead with ill-thought out changes.
“Firefighters around the country are currently meeting to discuss these latest attacks, which seem designed to undermine and destroy pensions in the fire service.”
