Commenting on remarks made by Richard Tice about preventing new recruits to Reform-controlled councils from joining the local government pension scheme alongside threats to cut the pay of existing employees, UNISON assistant general secretary Jon Richards said today (Thursday):

“This looks like another Reform UK policy scribbled on the back of a beer mat.

“Local authorities are obliged to offer access to the local government pension scheme to all new starters.

“The scheme is well-funded and affordable. Many council employees aren’t on final salary schemes anyway.

“Forcing council staff on to inferior pensions would leave retired workers much poorer and add to the already severe recruitment crisis in local government.

“Employees’ pensions aren’t the reason why many councils are on a financial precipice. It’s the decade and more of draconian budget cuts under Conservative governments.

“Reform claims to be on the side of workers. But declaring ‘war’ on low-paid staff won’t serve communities or cut budgets.”

Reform UK’s pension plan deserves early retirement, www.unison.org.uk