06.02.12
Pension talks must resume – BMA
The BMA is calling on the Government to return to NHS pension talks, seeking a fairer offer for staff.
They doctors’ union argues that the reforms would see NHS staff paying almost twice as much for the same pensions as some other public sector workers on similar salaries.
A new briefing paper, published by the BMA, shows how the 2008 reforms already increased the age of retirement and level of contributions from health professionals.
In a letter to Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander, the BMA argues that the NHS pension scheme is “in good financial health, and currently provides £2bn to the Treasury every year. In addition, the cost-sharing agreement reached at the time ensured that any increase in contributions needed in the future would be met by employees, not the taxpayer.”
Dr Hamish Meldrum, chairman of council at the BMA, said: “We’re pursuing every avenue we can to get the government back to the table. Lines of communication are open, but we’d like to see more willingness to find a way towards a fair solution.
“The Government would like the public to think that all public sector pensions are unsustainable and a drain on the taxpayer. This is definitely not the case for the NHS, where staff contributions have already risen sharply, and taxpayers are protected against future cost increases.”
An e-petition calling for talks to be resumed has received 17,000 signatures so far. The BMA council is meeting on February 25 to consider options for balloting on industrial action if there is not a significant change in the Government’s position.
Dr Alan Robertson, who launched the e-petition, said: “It is vital that all those who work in the NHS and whose pensions have already seen significant reform – which now delivers around £2bn to the Treasury each year – should sign up to support this petition and send a clear signal to governments that we will not put up with a raid on our pensions to make up a Treasury shortfall caused by failings in the banking sector.”
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