Latest Press Releases
| MORAY MP EXPRESSES CONCERNS OVER UK PENSION PROPOSALS |
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| Wednesday, 09 November 2011 00:00 |
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Moray’s MP Angus Robertson has said that the Treasury needs to re-consider its policy on increasing contribution rates in the manner proposed at a time when members of the public face real financial pressures.
The local MP’s comments come as the UK Government is looking at increasing contribution rates for public sector workers’ pensions. The changes proposed have already pushed many workers, including teachers, over the edge with many voting in favour of strike action, which is likely to take place at the end of November. Most of the employees affected have seen pay freezes in recent years, despite significantly increasing household bills for energy and food. In Moray alone many thousands of people work in the public sector and would see their disposable income reduced under the proposals which, in turn, would lead to less income for local shops and other businesses. Angus Robertson MP said: “ The Treasury must think again over its policy on increasing contribution rates at a time when people face real financial pressures. Thousands of workers in Moray alone have faced pay freezes and increasing bills. Increasing contributions at this time would hit families hard and would also hit the local economy with less money being spent in local businesses. “ The biggest concern is that many low paid workers may think about leaving the pension fund because they can’t afford the payments leaving a timebomb for the economy in future years and for the public purse which would then have to support families in other ways. “ These pensions are not gold-plated and ultimately will pay a few thousand pounds out per year to scheme members and forcing people out of the scheme is absolutely the wrong thing to do. “ It is widely accepted that pension reforms need to happen but it must happen by consensus and agreement and not just imposed top down. The Tories and Liberals in Westminster are saying they will slash the Scottish Government’s budget if they do not implement the contributions increase. This ‘gun to the head’ politics is no way for the UK Government to be treating public sector workers. “ Public sector workers, are rightly concerned about the impact of changes to their pensions by the UK Government – and the UK Government must think again.” |
