Politics Live: Danny Alexander statement on public sector pensions

coverage of political events of the day rolling as they occur, including Statement of Treasury Secretary deputies

3:41 p.m.

Piers Morgan turns Leveson research now. No coverage on our live blog Leveson.

3:22 p.m.

Danny Alexander told MPs that the majority of unions had accepted the offer of public sector pensions. He identified only two unions - Unite and PCS - as opposed

But the reality is somewhat more complicated. The Press Association have been in contact with all the main education unions and it is clear that most of them are still on the fence.

The National Union of Teachers (NUT), the NASUWT, the Universities and Colleges Union (UCU) and Welsh union UCAC teaching is not registered any confirmed at this stage.

However, the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) and the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), said that the revised proposals will of its members, emphasizing that it 'no agreement yet.

Here are some key appointments.

From

Christine Blower

, NUT General Secretary

There has been some movement [in the talks Monday], but we considered that there was insufficient We booked our position. Wait for all the documentation and we will talk to our leaders in early January. We hope that if further negotiations, to be present in them.

From

Sally Hunt

, general secretary of UCU

We asked for additional documentation and clarification on a number of aspects of the proposals. Once we are in receipt of complete information on the offer and how it affects our members, our National Executive Committee will review the proposals. After that, the UCU is committed, then the members vote to our pension plan for teachers on whether to accept or reject any bid final.

From

Elaine Edwards

, secretary general UCAC

The talks were constructive, but the latest proposals have not yet fully the main concerns of members of the UCAC. We can not accept this proposal without further discussion.

From

Hobby

Russell

, general secretary of the NAHT

After marathon session yesterday, we feel that we are now able to provide the holders of any agreement between the members. However, this has not been signed. The NAHT is a democratic organization, and any agreement will be signed only after consultation with our National Executive and our members.

Is this a good deal for teachers? No, the government has abused the profession and will pay the price in the coming years in terms of recruitment, morale and ultimately the quality of the education of our future students can expect.

3:11 p.m.

Mark Serwotka

, the PCS union Secretary General, Danny Alexander accused of misleading MPs by saying that he withdrew from talks. The Cabinet Office has unilaterally announced Monday that the SCP would not be invited, the union said.

In a statement, Serwotka described this as bullying.

is amazing how members of SCP were treated by this government, just to say they will not accept being forced to pay more and work longer to tens of thousands of pounds of less in retirement.

This type of intimidation unacceptable not deter members of the union to defend what is right and oppose the government's attempts to make them pay the price of a recession that n ' have not caused. We are committed to negotiate with the ministers, but continue to refuse, even if they think they have a legal obligation to do so.

The union also said it is taking legal advice after being "excluded" from discussions of public administration. The government had a legal obligation to include all unions under the Pensions Act 2010, he said.

15:01:.

The last question is the Daily Mail

Q: What do you say to private sector workers can not wait for a repurchase agreement like this

Alexander said that this agreement will reduce the cost of public sector pensions to the taxpayer. However, a good pension has always been a part of what is offered to people working in the public sector.

14:55:.

questions

Q: Are you still thinking about changing the law strike

Maude says that between 75 and 80% of public sector workers went to work on November 30. Strikes laws, as all laws are examined.

But this is not the territory we're in.

Q: Is not it true that an agreement was reached, and he retired to the fair treatment (see 13:40) and the rate accumulation? Why not remove it before?

Alexander said he does not accept that. In November he said he was ready to see what a compromise between the rate of accumulation and rates of appreciation.

And, fair treatment, says he has always made it clear that there could be no agreement on this subject.

Q: Do you think that many public sector workers choose

Maude says the government has done everything possible to prevent this.

last thing we want is for people to deny access to what is still more generous pension plans.

Q: What will happen to workers who are transferred to a private sector employer

Maude said that the workers are outsourced or privatized have access to a public sector pension.

14:50:.

questions

Q: Does this agreement is imposed on the unions who have not registered

Alexander said he has always made it clear he wanted an agreement before the end of the year. He believes that these agreements are the "best that can be achieved" through negotiation.

Q: Is the door open to Mark Serwotka and PCS

Maude says he will not re-open the heads of agreement have been met. But there are some points still to be finalized, particularly in relation to prison officers association.

Serwotka morning is to go see something else, he said.

Q: is the letter sent by the GMB bothered Eric Pickles

Yes, 'said Alexander.

Q: What do you think of him trying to derail the agreement

Alexander said the letter was withdrawn. Another letter is sent.

Q: Do you have a revised estimate of the cost of the strike on November 30

Alexander says he has the new estimate. (At the time of the strike, the Treasury said it would cost 500 million pounds.)

2:46 p.m.:.

questions

Q: Are you still premature to say that an agreement is reached

Maude said there is still premature. He acknowledged that unions have important discussions they have with their members.

Q: The PCS said they were "unacceptable harassment"? Is this true?

Maude says it's a shame that Mark has never Serwotka, PCS leader, has come to all meetings of the Cabinet on pensions. The PCS has "form" for this, he said. When the rules reformed Cabinet on the dismissal of the civil service, the PCS was not involved in these negotiations.

2:41 p.m.:.

not answer questions

Q: The GMB is now said to reconsider its support for the bid. Is this true?

Alexander, said a letter apparently prompted GMB threatened to leave has now been removed.

that "there is a text that was agreed," he said.

(Read more about it on the website of GMB).

Q: The union says it has been more useful, since the strike in November. Is this true?

Maude said there was no change in the "tempo" of negotiations since the strike on November 30. However, the unions wanted to change the details, everyone wanted a more generous accrual rate and a lower rate of appreciation in value. These changes were agreed.

Q: Is this a justification of his division and rule approach

Maude said he did not intend to operate a "divide and rule" policy. It's just a shame that a public service of the European Union (PCS) a "self-writing the script."

2:37 p.m.

Danny Alexander and Francis Maude gives a press conference. I will cover most of what I could live, but I am addicted to BBC and Sky, which could change at a time Piers Morgan.

Maude said: "The strike does not work." Since the strike, the government has not changed the roof of costs in their plans.

1:40 p.m. The announcement was a
curiously flat, half-empty room, just hours before the packages for the common statement Christmas, but Danny Alexander on the reform of public sector pensions is a landmark in one of the most ambitious reforms promoted by the government. It is not yet the end of the process, two major unions remain opposed, other public sector unions must have the support of its members, some details remain to be discussed and the government has not even left the bill electricity will be approved before retirement the new provisions of law. But still, it feels like that these reforms are much closer to actually happening that they were. This is a historic moment.

These are the key points.

. Alexander said that detailed arrangements for public sector pensions had already been beaten and it would be the basis for legislation government. most unions supported this "principle of the agreement," said Alexander. The total amount of money the government spends on pensions - the "maximum cost" - has not increased since the government released details of its offer in November revised regime, he said. But since then, public administration, health and education, trade unions and the government have agreed the details of exactly how these changes will be implemented. In the scheme of local government, some details are discussed. More details on these counts of agremeent at 24:56.

. He said that the government is committed to continue the policy of fair treatment for workers to have their employment contract with the private sector continue to enjoy their public sector pensions. In March 2011, the Treasury launched a consultation on the policy of demolition of fair treatment. Keep ensure that workers have less to fear if your job is transferred to a private sector supplier. Alexander said it would be easier for the government to move forward with its plans for private companies providing public services.

At the same time, provide the personnel transferred the right to remain members of the public service system, which no longer requires that private providers, voluntary and corporate social defined to determine the risks that benefit many bids for contracts in the first place.

Replacement of massive transfers of pensions assumes continued access to public sector plans means that we take to protect the pensions of public service workers, the management of risk to the taxpayer, and move forward with our ambitious plans to reform the public sector.

. He said it was "disappointing" that Unite and PCS unions did not accept the agreement in principle. Avoid the tone of confrontation, Alexander said he hoped that Unite and PCS could be persuaded to accept the agreement. He downplayed the impact of the strike that the two unions (and others) was in November, and described in a moment of his statement as "unnecessary interruptions"

He said most unions are asking their leaders to lift the strike threat as a result of this agreement.

. He said the new settlement would last at least 25 years.

Under the reforms, public sector workers continue to receive pensions would cost a third of wages in the private sector. "This is an appropriate reward for a lifetime commitment to serve the public," said

. It was confirmed that the government examine the impact of increased pension contributions into force next year before making final decisions on the application future increases.

In particular, the government would be in the "opt-out and equality," he said. It is feared that some workers could opt for full pension rather than pay the increase in contributions.

. He said he plans to reform the police, armed forces, justice and fire service pensions that will be presented "in due course."

These systems are not included in the talks this year.

1:32 p.m.

The statement was terminated. I will summarize quickly.

1:28 p.m. Russell

Work Brown, a member of Unite, said Alexander, said Unite and PCS did not sign the agreement. Alexander confirmed that the Association of Prison officials also refused to approve the offer

Alexander says he has more "positive" the position of the POA.

1:26 p.m.:. Work Katy Clark asked if the government is going to veto any agreement between the Scottish Government and trade unions

Alexander said Scottish traditional offerings are similar to the rest of the UK. This should continue, despite the Scottish Government objected that the British government. If the Scottish government wants to pay higher pensions, it will be financed.

13:24:. Ian

Work

Lavery asked the government if the union members to reject the offer

Alexander says it is the government's latest offer. The government will legislate on that basis.

1:22 p.m.

Alexander said that under the current system of contributions of "distress, pensions low-paid workers" will subsidize high wages. Under the reforms, which will change, he said.

13:21:.

The full text of the declaration of Danny Alexander is now in the Treasury website

And here is the opinion of the press Treasury on the announcement.

13:18:. Fiona

Work

Mactaggart matter if there will be equality impact of the reforms

Alexander says the government will see the impact that the reforms on the number of people who leave the public sector plans in a year. In light of these results, there could be changes in how the implementation of reforms in years two and three.

1:17 p.m.

Chris Pincher, a Conservative, asked Alexander if he had received "imaginative proposals" in the public sector pension reform of work. Alexander said he is "sad to say" the answer is no.

13:13:. Damian Hinds

, a Conservative, asked how many new employees in the private sector can expect a benefit defined pension plan

Alexander says the number of people who offer such systems in the private sector is "very low". But that does not mean that the government wants to make the public sector. They are part of the reward for a career in public service, he said.

1:12 p.m.

Alexander said he was "very disappointed" by the PCS union's position (which rejected the offer). He says he hopes to join.

13:10:. Andrew
Work
Miller asked if the Government will ensure that pensions and vacations are not possible



Alexander says it is a very important point. Schemes should be funded so they can meet future increases in life expectancy.

1:08 p.m.: John
Work

Healey says the government has "no reason" to impose the equivalent of a tax increase 3% of workers . When workers the opportunity to see the precise details of what is offered?

Alexander says it is a matter for the unions.

1:07 p.m.:. Back to the statement, Alexander said that no party should review these agreements for 25 years

24:56:

In his statement, Alexander explained that the offer made to public sector workers had changed since November. The changes are technical, not affecting the value of the whole range of pensions, but to change the way the reforms were carried out. The key details.

. In the pattern of public administration

, the contribution will be reviewed annually by the CPI, not the profits, which allows rate of accumulation 44th to be offered. This will cost the same as originally planned, but to spread the costs more preferably by the unions.

. In t

the plan of local government

, the retirement age will be linked to the state pension and there will a medium for life. Further discussions will take place over the next three months.

. In

health system

contributions will be reviewed by the CPI plus 1.5%. This will allow a 1/54th accrual rate.

. Y

in education

contributions will be reviewed by the CPI plus 1% / 6, allowing the accumulation rate is improved 1 / 57. There will also modest improvements to the factors of early retirement.

24:47:.

Rachel Reeves, the shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, working answers

workers in the most public retirement pensions with very modest, she said.

Work look into the details of the proposals on the basis of evidence of the work created.

What is the timetable for completion of the talks?

when the plans of the police, armed forces, the judiciary and the fire department?

What is the government estimate for the number of employees who choose plans

said workers are worried that this could lead to increased privatization of services.

is a "regrettable" that the strike was for the government at this point, she said. The government has taken an "aggressive and provocative approach" to this serious problem, she said.

The government has shown the same level of skill to negotiate than we saw in the EU summit, she said.

• 24:43:.
• Alexander continues to speak

Unions have sought assurances that its members continue to receive the benefits of their pension if they are transferred outside the public sector.

Alexander said he has extended the Fair Deal program of retirement protection to ensure that workers receive the protection.

private providers do not have to take the same risk would have done if they had the old system remained in place. This will encourage more private providers to bid for public sector contracts, he said.

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