Ahead of strikes Cameron defends ‘fair’ reforms
Cameron said the changes proposed for millions of public sector workers were a “good deal”, which would secure affordable pensions for decades to come.
He spoke out as the scale of disruption caused by tomorrow’s 24-hour walkout by members of four unions became clear, with thousands of schools, job centres, tax offices and courts set to be closed or disrupted.
Protesters say pension changes mean they will have to work longer, pay more and get less when they retire.
Cameron, addressing the annual conference of the Local Government Group in Birmingham, said reform was “essential”, warning that the pension system was in danger of “going broke” unless action was taken because people were living much longer.
“We just can’t go on as we are. That’s not because, as some people say, public service pensions are ridiculously generous. In fact, around half of public service pensioners receive less than £6,000 (€6,686) a year,” he said.
Cameron defended the move to increase the pension age and contributions, maintaining that the proposals were fair for taxpayers as well as employees.
The balance between what public sector employees paid into their pensions and what the taxpayer contributed was getting “massively out of kilter” he said.
Civil servants contribute around 1.5% and 3.5% towards their pension, compared with 19% from taxpayers, while taxpayers paid the equivalent of £1,000 per household towards maintaining public sector pensions.
The government said “rigorous” contingency plans were in place to ensure essential services are maintained during the strike.
But the Public and Commercial Services union said it expected its members will strongly support the strike.
After his speech, Cameron said no one should doubt the “absolute resolve’ of the government to deal with the pensions issue fairly.
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