Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP West of Scotland) today welcomed the boost of £32 million from the SNP Government to meet the extra cost of revised pension arrangements for police officers and fire fighters.
Mr. McMillan, a member of the Scottish Parliament’s Justice Committee said this showed the SNP Government is stepping in to fund pension payments after the refusal of the UK Treasury to stick to its financial obligations by providing funds from Barnett Consequentials to pay for pension changes.
Mr. McMillan said;
"This extra £32 million for the pensions of police officers and fire fighters in Scotland is very welcome and shows that the SNP Government is determined to deliver for members of the emergency services.
"The refusal of the London Treasury to meet the extra costs will help end the uncertainty they have caused by failing to treat our police officers and fire fighters the same way as their colleagues south of the border.
"By meeting these costs the SNP Government has put the onus on the UK Government to meet the obligations of those Barnett Consequentials and provide the extra funding they have accessed south of the border.
"I also welcome the announcement that the Scottish Government is actively discussing the long term pensions issues by looking to a joint solution with COSLA and representatives of the Police and Fire services. The Labour Government in London may not be willing to honour it's responsibilities to Scotland's fire and police forces but from today's announcement it is clear the Scottish Government takes it's obligation to these vital workers very seriously."
Notes
· The Scottish Government press release with comments from the SPF and FBU is available here:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2008/09/09093710 Changes to pensions, initiated across the UK by the Home Office and legally binding on the Scottish Government, allow retiring police and fire and rescue service workers to convert a larger part of their pension to a lump sum paid to them upon retirement.
· In an answer to a Parliamentary Question lodged by SNP MSP Brian Adam, the Scottish Government confirmed that the UK Treasury has not received any Barnett consequential to help pay for these changes. This is despite the Treasury providing extra funding for the deal to be put in place in England and Wales.
Mr Adam's Parliamentary Question and Answer are as follows:
Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received the Barnett consequentials for the recent changes to the police and fire and rescue services pensions. (S3W-15328)
Mr Kenny MacAskill: No. Barnett consequentials only arise as a result of increases in provision for comparable spending areas in Whitehall Departments. HM Treasury maintains that these circumstances do not apply in this case, although discussions are continuing.
