Pensions: FBU Legal Challenge On Changes To Uprating Mechanism
CIRCULAR 2011HOCO284MW
28 June 2011
TO: ALL MEMBERSDear Brother/Sister
Members will be aware that the FBU has launched a legal challenge to the Government’s plan to change the way that public sector pensions are uprated. This follows the Government’s decision to change the uprating factor from the Retail Price Index (RPI) to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The Hutton review identified that this change alone would potentially mean a reduction in future pension benefits of around 15%. The change was introduced through Parliament in April this year.
The FBU, along with three other unions (NASUWT, POA and PCS) submitted separate pre-action letters outlining the issues and our legal concerns. Following the response to these letters and following further legal advice the four unions submitted a coordinated legal application on 4th May 2011. Two other unions (Unite and Unison) later joined the action bringing the number of unions involved in the coordinated legal challenge up to six.
Although challenging this attack was morally an easy decision to make it was not the easiest one to put together and we are pleased to be taking this coordinated approach with NASUWT, PCS and POA. It is also very pleasing that Unite and Unison subsequently decided to join our action. It is noticeable however that once again the FBU is the only organisation in the Fire Service that is taking up a legal challenge on behalf of our members on this important matter.
The case has been listed for 25th October 2011 for a 3 day hearing.
Best wishes.
Yours fraternally
MATT WRACK
GENERAL SECRETARY
MW/sll
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