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TUC PENSION TESTS FOR TURNER REPORT - 18 NOVEMBER 2005
As speculation mounts today (Thursday) over the contents of the report of the Turner Commission on the future of pensions, the TUC has published a checklist against which it will judge the final report.
TUC General Secretary, Brendan Barber, said:
'No one lobby group can expect to get its whole submission accepted by the Turner Commission. Nor should we get bogged down in arguments about detail where there may be more than one way forward.
'So we will judge the Turner Commission report on how well it matches our broad principles and objectives. That is why we are publishing the checklist we will use to gauge whether the report will move us in the right direction.
'But there is an even bigger test to be passed. And that is the one the Commission will set the government. Will ministers have the political will to make the radical changes necessary to solve the pensions crisis? Will they take the measures necessary to ensure that the millions of people in work today can look forward to a decent pensions when they retire?'
The TUC Turner tests:
Will the report ...
1) have recommendations radical enough to deliver a new pensions settlement? Is it up to the job?
2) end the second-class treatment of women by the pensions system, and make the state pension universal?
3) make the poor, and those doing heavy stressful jobs, make an unfair contribution to a new pensions settlement by increasing the state pension age?
4) reduce means-testing in the pensions system by lifting the level of the state pension above the poverty line?
5) let pensioners share in growing prosperity by saying that the state pension should be linked to earnings once again?
6) support the role of the state in providing a pension above the basic state pension, particularly for the low paid without alternative arrangements?
7) recognise that a new pensions settlement needs a new tax settlement that will reduce tax breaks for the well off?
8) recognises that the only effective way to extend saving is to extend compulsion within the pensions system so that all employers face obligations to contribute to employee savings.
Contacts:
Media enquiries: Ben Hurley T: 020 7467 1248; M: 07881 622416 ; E: bhurley@tuc.org.uk Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248; M: 07778 158175; E: media@tuc.org.uk
Skills for Life and media enquiries: Dan Ashley T: 020 7467 1248; M: 07880 504846; E: dashley@tuc.org.uk
TUC General Secretary, Brendan Barber, said:
'No one lobby group can expect to get its whole submission accepted by the Turner Commission. Nor should we get bogged down in arguments about detail where there may be more than one way forward.
'So we will judge the Turner Commission report on how well it matches our broad principles and objectives. That is why we are publishing the checklist we will use to gauge whether the report will move us in the right direction.
'But there is an even bigger test to be passed. And that is the one the Commission will set the government. Will ministers have the political will to make the radical changes necessary to solve the pensions crisis? Will they take the measures necessary to ensure that the millions of people in work today can look forward to a decent pensions when they retire?'
The TUC Turner tests:
Will the report ...
1) have recommendations radical enough to deliver a new pensions settlement? Is it up to the job?
2) end the second-class treatment of women by the pensions system, and make the state pension universal?
3) make the poor, and those doing heavy stressful jobs, make an unfair contribution to a new pensions settlement by increasing the state pension age?
4) reduce means-testing in the pensions system by lifting the level of the state pension above the poverty line?
5) let pensioners share in growing prosperity by saying that the state pension should be linked to earnings once again?
6) support the role of the state in providing a pension above the basic state pension, particularly for the low paid without alternative arrangements?
7) recognise that a new pensions settlement needs a new tax settlement that will reduce tax breaks for the well off?
8) recognises that the only effective way to extend saving is to extend compulsion within the pensions system so that all employers face obligations to contribute to employee savings.
Contacts:
Media enquiries: Ben Hurley T: 020 7467 1248; M: 07881 622416 ; E: bhurley@tuc.org.uk Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248; M: 07778 158175; E: media@tuc.org.uk
Skills for Life and media enquiries: Dan Ashley T: 020 7467 1248; M: 07880 504846; E: dashley@tuc.org.uk
Industrial Action
The National Union of Mineworkers expresses its support for fellow trade unionists in the Public Sector who today are having to resort to withdrawing their labour (a fundamental right of any worker) and take strike action against these unfair cuts to their pensions and terms and conditions.
T
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Funeral of Gerry Gibson
It is with deep regret that the NUM (Yorkshire Area) announce the Funeral Service details for Gerry Gibson who tragically lost his life at Kellingley Colliery on Tuesday 27th September 2011.The Service in dedication to Gerry a much respected member,work mate & fellow miner will be held in
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Statement from Gerry's Family
We are all truly devastated by Gerry's sudden and tragic death.
We would like to pay tribute to everyone involved in attempts to rescue Gerry - all work colleagues; Kellingley rescue team; the air ambulance team and all other medics who were on site. Their tireless efforts were not i
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Fatality at Kellingley Colliery
it is with deep regret that the national union of mineworkers has to confirm that as a result of a tragic accident at kellingley colliery one of our members has lost his life.
the whole workforce at the colliery are devastated at the loss of a friend and colleague as a result of a roof fall on 502s
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