RCN comment regarding Treasury letter on pensions

Published: 24 October 2011

Responding to media reports that nurses would be better off under proposed Government pension changes, Royal College of Nursing Executive Director of Nursing and Service Delivery, Janet Davies, said:

“It is not right that the Government is allowing these figures to be published without any explanation of how they are arrived at. There are enough myths surrounding the pensions issue as it is without the Government further adding to the confusion. The RCN is now writing to the Treasury to ask for urgent clarification on this issue.

“We know that nurses are not only concerned about losing their jobs, but are deeply angry that the Government is looking at making them pay more, work longer but receive less.

“It is our belief that the current NHS pension scheme is fit for purpose following the changes made in 2008. There have already been fundamental changes to the scheme, which the RCN has supported, such as an increase in contribution where the highest earners pay most. The truth is that the increased contributions will simply go to the Treasury to help pay off deficits that hard working nurses and healthcare assistants have had no part in creating.”

Ends

Notes for Editors

1. For further information, please contact the RCN Media Office on 020 7647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit  http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/media

2. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations