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NASUWT: Teachers’ pensions tax bombshell

NASUWT: Teachers’ pensions tax bombshell

Responding to reports that teachers and other public sector workers in defined benefit pension schemes could have to pay an extra 1.4% into their pensions on top of the increased costs they are already facing as a result of Government plans to end contracting out, Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union, said:

“This is just the latest blow to hard working teachers and other public sector employees already reeling from a raft of changes to their pensions.

“Teachers are already paying higher monthly pension contributions at a time when their pay is being frozen and the cost of living is increasing.

“The news that they are to be hit with an additional increase on top of these changes could be the final straw for many in the profession who are struggling to make ends meet.

“The risk is that many teachers will opt out of the scheme, placing its sustainability in jeopardy. An NASUWT survey of members earlier this year found that over half of teachers are seriously considering opting out, rising to nearly three quarters of young teachers.

“The Treasury made a commitment not to change public sector pension benefits for 25 years and yet it is already reneging on this promise.

“With this latest news, the extent of the betrayal of the teaching profession by those who signed up to the Coalition’s proposals is even starker.

“The NASUWT will continue its industrial action campaign against these unjust changes to teachers’ pay, pensions and working conditions.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

The NASUWT has been engaged in continuous industrial action since 30 November 2011 over attacks to teachers’ pay, pensions and working conditions, excessive workload and job loss.

The NASUWT has lodged a trade dispute with the Government over workload, conditions of service, pensions and jobs.

Lena Davies
Journalist and acting press officer
Campaigns and Communications Team
NASUWT
0121 457 6250 / 07867 392 746
lena.davies@mail.nasuwt.org.uk