National
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Response Times / StandardsThe FBU nationally is taking every opportunity to lobby for meaningful national standards, wherever we can. Members have taken the argument to governments in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast and pressed lawmakers to act.
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The government is attacking firefighters’ pensions. It wants firefighters to pay more, work for longer and still end up with less at retirement.
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Fairer Commutation Campaign update |
| The FBU’s Fairer Commutation campaign has reached a critical stage, with the involvement of the Pension’s Ombudsman.Sean Starbuck, FBU national officer with responsibility for pensions has an update on the situation.I have had several phone calls and emails recently regarding the position of the Fairer Commutation Campaign. Members recognise that this has been a lengthy campaign and are reminded that the timescales are now dependent on the Pension Ombudsman who is investigating the claims.To give an up to date position I have provided a summary of the situation as it developed through 2010.
The Fairer Commutation Campaign had continued throughout 2009 and an update was given to all Out of Trade members on 4th January 2010 in circular 2010HOC0003MW. This circular explained that model grievances, to submit to the Pension Ombudsman, were being prepared for individuals who retire pre 22nd August 206 but after 1st March 2006 and for individuals who retired pre 1st March 2006. It also explained the continued support that the FBU would be giving to Out of Trade members who were involved in this campaign. These model grievances were distributed in circular 2010HOC0126MW on 17th February 2010 with an explanation of how they should be used. The Pension Ombudsman initially raised an issue that the Internal Disputes Resolution Process had not been exhausted but following written correspondence and several telephone conversations it was accepted that the IDRP was not the practical route in this situation. As part of the ongoing process the Pension Ombudsman sent copies of the initial submissions from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and the Government Actuary’s Department (GAD) to the FBU for our comments. A brief summary of this initial submission which included a view from DCLG that the Pension Ombudsman had no jurisdiction to consider these complaints was contained in circular 2010HOC0329SS issued on 13th May 2010. On 26th May 2010, following the FBU comments, Head Office received a further letter from the Pension Ombudsman explaining that the investigation would focus on the Government Actuary Department but the door would be left open to extend this to the DCLG if necessary. This letter also explained that the test case approach that had been discussed between the FBU and the pension Ombudsman would be adopted and a test case for each year in question would be selected. The GAD position remained that the complaint should not be investigated because It is time barred; Further updates were given to Executive Council members at their meetings held on 8th, 9th and 10th June and 21st, 22nd and 23rd September 2010. On 8th December 2010 the FBU received a letter from the Pension Ombudsman which included the provisional findings in relation to the three points of contention raised by GAD and highlighted that the next stage was to allow GAD to respond to these provisional findings. The FBU wrote back to the Pension Ombudsman on 6th January 2011 with comments on the provisional findings requesting an opportunity to comment further if necessary. Members must recognise that the Pension Ombudsman process is very thorough and takes a considerable time. As soon as any information becomes available members will be updated through the normal channels
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