NUT Cymru quiz absent and non-supportive MPs
The largest teaching union in Wales has written to every Welsh MP who voted against a recent motion on pensions, or who did not vote at all, asking them for an explanation as to why they could not support their constituents.
A motion brought to parliament by John McDonnell, Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington, sought to reverse the government’s plans to change the way public pensions are indexed from the Retail Price Index (RPI) to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The change will cost teachers, and other public sector workers, with an average £10,000 pension around £35,000 over a 25-year retirement. However, only five Welsh MPs, Labour’s Albert Owen (Ynys Mon) and Madeleine Moon (Bridgend), and Plaid Cymru trio Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionydd Nant Conwy), Jonathan Edwards (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr) and Hywel Williams (Arfon) supported the action.
NUT Wales Secretary, David Evans, said:
“The change from RPI to CPI will have a devastating impact on teachers and their families across Wales. With that in mind it was extremely disappointing to see so few Welsh MPs showing their support by backing this motion. Our members will want to know why their MPs chose not to attend the vote, or worse still voted in favour of stripping their constituents of their hard earned and affordable pensions.
“We are grateful to the five Welsh MPs who did show the courage to stand up against this disgraceful attack on teachers’ pensions. We have written to the other 35 Welsh MPs in order to provide them with the opportunity to explain to teachers living and working in their constituencies why they abstained or opposed the motion.
“Some MPs may have a legitimate reason for not attending. We are sure the legitimacy of the responses will be closely scrutinised by constituents who feel let down on this issue.”
End:
For details of the motion and a record of the vote please follow the below link:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201212/cmhansrd/cm120301/debtext/120301-0002.htm#12030147000001
Contact Owen Hathway, NUT Cymru, Ty Sinnott, 18 Neptune Court, Vanguard Way, Cardiff CF24 5PJ. Tel: 029 20491818. Mob: 07921146442 e-mail: cymru.wales@nut.org.uk
Owen Hathway
Wales Policy Officer / Swyddog Polisi Cymru
National Union of Teachers
02920 491818 / 07921146442
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