NHS Pensions

I've been looking through the RCN website, sad during annual leave I know but it's the only time I get to do it.

The changes to the NHS pension is very concerning,

The Royal College of Nursing has responded angrily to the proposed employee contribution increases set out by the Department of Health for 2012/13 for nurses and other health care staff in the NHS pension scheme in England and Wales.

The RCN emphasises that this is a Department of Health consultation and not a joint consultation with unions. The RCN has not agreed any assumptions made in the document.

RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary Dr Peter Carter says these actions show that the Government has 'torn up the agreement' that would have led to increasing affordability in public sector pensions.

"That agreement would have delivered long term savings. It appears that nurses and other public servants are now bearing the brunt of a financial crisis caused by reckless risk taking in the banking sector," he says.

The RCN highlights that hard working nurses are in the middle of a two-year pay freeze, inflation is soaring and they now face the prospect of paying more money into their pension next year for no additional benefit.

"This latest development is not just about contributions in 2012. It is the start of a process that will increase contributions even further and make nurses work until they are dropping on their feet. All this is likely to have a devastating impact on the morale of dedicated nurses," adds Dr Carter.

The RCN believes the current cost sharing arrangements in the NHS are fit for purpose and is calling on the Government to complete and publish the 2008 NHS scheme valuation, and have proper discussions on the costs of the scheme. It is only three years since nurses accepted fundamental changes to the pension scheme.

The RCN says that the Government does not need this fight. "The average NHS pension paid to a woman is less than £4,000 - far from the 'gold plated' term that is often used. "We know the strength of feeling among members and the RCN on behalf of nurses and health care assistants will vigorously defend fair pensions at all times," warns Dr Carter.

The consultation applies to nursing staff working in England and Wales. It is expected that similar consultations will take place in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

So we are going to end up paying more for less