NASUWT: Claims about public service pensions are a "travesty of the truth"

NASUWT: Claims about public service pensions are a “travesty of the truth”

NASUWT: Claims about public service pensions are a “travesty of the truth”

Delegates at the Annual Conference of the NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union are today debating a motion defending public service pensions.

The motion was one of the most highly balloted, demonstrating the deep concern of teachers that their pensions and those of their colleagues in other public services, are under grave threat.

Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union in the UK, said:

“Attacks on public service pensions have intensified during the economic downturn.

“In the run up to the General Election the vitriol from the opponents of public services is intensifying.

“Claims that public service pension arrangements are ‘too generous’ and a ‘burden’ on the public purse simply are a travesty of the truth.

“The reality is that taxpayers are spending £2.50 on reducing the tax bill of the top one percent of the population for every pound going towards providing a modest pension for retired teachers, nurses and other public service workers.

“The cost of providing tax relief on private pensions in 2007/08 was £37.6 billion. This is ten times the cost of the unfunded public sector pension schemes.

“The problem to be addressed is not the public sector but the problem of those without decent pensions because nearly two thirds of private sector workers get no pension from their employers. That is the real cost to the tax payer.

“The NASUWT welcomes the fact that the Government has given a commitment to honour the agreement reached on teachers’ pensions in 2005 and calls upon other political parties to do the same.”

ENDS

For further details, please contact Stuart or Ilana in the press team on:

07966 198894 / 07966 195010

Notes to Editors

The NASUWT Leaflet on teachers’ pensions issued as part of the Union’s Vote for Education Campaign can be provided on request.

Please find full details of the motion below.

PUBLIC SERVICE PENSIONS

Conference asserts that public sector pensions are a significant element of the remuneration package for five million public service workers and are, therefore, a substantial part of pension provision in the UK.

Conference recognises that pensions are a major part of the cost of public services but emphasises that public service employees make a significant financial contribution to their pension schemes.

Conference commits the National Executive to working with the TUC to challenge, using all appropriate means, including industrial action, any attempt by the Government, in response to and as a remedy for economic difficulties or recession, to worsen pension provisions for teachers or other public sector workers.