TUC welcomes government pledge to keep pensions promise to privatised workforces

Commenting on the decision today (Wednesday) by the government not to give privatised companies that were once nationalised industries the power to change the pensions arrangements for staff who were employed before privatisation, but still work for the company, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“Steve Webb has done the right thing today. A pensions promise should be a pensions promise.

“While we recognise the challenge to pension schemes from the end of opting out with the introduction of the flat rate state pension, this should not mean ending the protected person status enjoyed by staff who have given long service to both the nationalised and privatised companies.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- The government consultation response is at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/possible-statutory-override-for-protected-persons-regulations

- The TUC is organising Fair Pay Fortnight from Monday 24 March to Sunday 6 April. It will be a series of events across England and Wales to raise awareness about falling living standards. www.fairpayfortnight.org

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @tucnews

Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Liz Chinchen   T: 020 7467 1248    M: 07778 158175    E: media@tuc.org.uk
Rob Holdsworth    T: 020 7467 1372    M: 07717 531150     E: rholdsworth@tuc.org.uk