Growth of contract DC pensions over trust based schemes is extremely worrying, says TUC

The latest Pension Trends statistics, published today (Tuesday) by the Office for National Statistics, show that the number of people saving in a contract based defined contribution (DC) pension scheme through their workplace has overtaken the number saving in a trust based DC scheme this year.

The figures show that 8.8 per cent of the private sector workforce are now in a contract based DC pension - up from 8.6 per cent last year - while 8.7 per cent are now in a trust based scheme, a fall of 0.2 per cent in a year.

Commenting on the figures, Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Rob Johnston said:

"Few will be surprised at the decline of defined benefit pensions, but the growth of contract DC at the expense of trust based DC should not be over-looked. 

"Of course some contract based schemes offer good value and some trust based schemes are not as well run as they should be, but this trend is extremely worrying.

"In a trust based scheme trustees have a single duty - to look after the interests of all scheme members both active and deferred. A contract based scheme in contrast is normally provided by a company seeking to make a return to its shareholders.

"While market forces can often be relied on to keep costs down, decades of experience show that markets don't function when it comes to pension provision - especially as it is not even the consumer that buys a workplace pension, but their employer.

"With the introduction of auto-enrolment bringing a huge increase in DC pension saving over the next few years, we need to ask hard questions about how we can deliver good governance, low charges and sophisticated investment strategies."

SECRET PLOT TO ROB OUR PENSIONERS OF THEIR HARD EARNED BENEFITS

Stop This Mean Attack On Our Pensioners Now - Daily Express July 11th Page 5.

Commentary by Neil Duncan Jordan, national officer of the National Pensioners Convention.

In recent weeks, Government politician's have been lining up to argue that the country's economy is struggling because there is an army of millionaire pensioners joy riding with their free bus passes. The latest one is Nick Boles MP who has trotted out the same misinformed, half baked case. Lets have a much needed dose of reality. Out of 11 million pensioners, the number of millionaires would barely be enough to fill a fleet of buses. Not only that but does Mr Boles really think that Sir Paul McCartney queued up in his local town hall to fill in his application form for a bus pass? In truth, the economic crisis is being used by some to roll back the gains of the welfare state that older people have secured and worked for over many years.

There is also a totally inaccurate suggestion that pensioners have escaped the austerity measures at the expense of younger generations. In fact there have already been significant detrimental changes to the way  pensions are increased every year, a cut in the winter fuel allowance and reduction in care services. The truth is that both young and old are being hit by the cuts while the rich are still claiming their bonuses.

Evidence

The suggested alternative is to introduce a huge and expensive means-tested bureaucracy that would take away the bus pass, winter fuel allowance and free TV licences from anyone not already on income support of around £7500 a year. How anyone could suggest that a pensioner on little more than this was well off simply beggars belief. Not only that, but all the evidence shows that when services are means-tested, those who need it most are the very ones that do not come forward to make a claim. But the real problem with Mr Boles's argument is that it counts the cost of pensioners without recognising their value. Every year, even after we have paid out for pensions, care and other benefits, older people contribute £40 billion in taxes, voluntary work and unpaid caring.

They are often the glue that holds our communities together, but this is only possible because they are able to get out and about. If the bus pass was withdrawn, the problems of social isolation, loneliness and depression among older people would rise - along with the demand on health and care services. In the long run saving £1 billion on the bus pass would cost considerably more. So while Mr Boles has grabbed a headline, his argument rather missed the point. When the UK finally gets a state pension that is not the fourth from bottom in Europe, and everyone pays their fair share of taxes, then we can start discussing his idea's to the  who should get a bus pass. Until then, let him put his ideas to the older voters.  

In conclusion we Pensioners who are members of the Midlands TUC Network will keep a close eye on developments on our pensions and will be prepared to campaign vigorously to help protect our Benefits and those of future pensioners - Mike McLoughlin  



REPORT OF THE MIDLANDS TUC PENSIONERS NETWORK MEETING HELD ON FRIDAY JUNE 29TH

This Meeting Was The First Regional Network Meeting Chaired By Yvonne Washbourne

Our Newly Elected Chair.  

Attendance at Network Meetings: - This meeting was a relatively poorly attended meeting, in the main due to a clash with other events taking place on the same day. It was noted that over the past couple of years our attendance has been dropping off steadily - in the discussion that followed it was decided that this issue needs to be thoroughly discussed at the next E-C meeting with a view to taking steps to rebuild the Network. It was stated that some of the Unions were helping to curtail involvement of retired members in the Network by insisting that only the Regional Committee's could appoint delegates to the Network (usually a small number), forgetting that the idea behind the setting up of the Network was that any retired member could attend and that it was always the intention to get all union branches with retired members involved in the work of the Network. The E-C to develop its thinking about the best way to relaunch the Network and spell out clearly what its aims and objectives are.

Network Banner: - The Network has now purchased a banner which is quite attractive and will help to raise our profile at public events - the banner made its debut at the recent Chainmakers Rally - the only retired groups banner to be there - The banner will also be going to Tolpuddle in July. there was a view expressed That we have to stop being a talking shop and get out there and organise activity in the region on specific issues affecting pensioners and develop relations with other pensioners groups - as well as developing a working relationships and alliances with people who are still in work.

Chair & Vice Chair's recent meeting with the TUC Regional Secretary: - Yvonne and Bob in their meeting with Rob Johnson were able to explore the role of the Network and how it should relate to the TUC, as in the past this relationship has mostly been undeveloped. Considerable progress was made at this meeting - we have for the first time been accepted as an Equality Committee, we will have this new status from January 2013, in the meantime we can continue with the present level of financial support from the TUC. From January all the Regions Equality Committee's will have their financial support capped at £250 - although this figure does exclude postage. This will give us a serious problem as this amount will not cover three meeting per year at the Spot Conference Centre. In future the Regional TUC will write to all its affiliates and Trades Councils and ask for nominations to the Network E-C, there is also the possibility that we will be given in the future an observers seat on the TUC Regional E-C. The meeting concluded that Derby was geographically the best place to hold our regional meetings, the current trade union meeting rooms were not large enough to accomadate us and members were asked to obtain the cost of other meeting rooms in Derby. 

E-C Vacancies:- There are currently two vacancies for Women on the Network Executive Committee, one from the West Midlands and one from the East Midlands, nominations for these positions are now required and should be forwarded to the Secretary (Sheena Gordon).

Getting Organised: - Dick Muskett SERTUC Support Officer gave us an excellent presentation on the need and the way in which Retired members can get organised at the present time. This generated a lively and far reaching discussion, many of the points raised will be discussed in greater detail at the next Executive committee meeting. We also touched on the favourite pastime of the press, which is pensioner bashing, implying that we are in some way responsible for the present financial crisis. It was concluded that we must not allow any splits to develop in the pensioners movement, nor with young people and workers. The National Pensioners Convention (NPC) are planning events for October which are designed to bring all three groups together.

Future Activity: - Our support has been requested for two events in October - firstly our support is required for the Rally which will be held at the Conservative Party Conference to be held in Birmingham on October 7th. It was agreed that we will have to pull all the stops out on this one and really try to mobilise pensioners from right across the region for October 7th. Secondly we have been asked to support the TUC Rally which will be held in London On October 2oth. Considerable debate was generated on the issue of the TUC London Rally - the view was put strongly that many pensioners would be unwilling to travel to London, and that we should seriously consider organising activity on that day in the large population centres e.g. Birmingham, Nottingham, Leicester, Derby, Wolverhampton etc. This issue will be further debated by the E-C, who will also make enquiries as to how many buses are being laid on by the trade unions, and what provision if any will be made for retired members to travel on them.

Mike McLoughlin TUC Network. 

DAVID DAVIS MP LONG TIME SUPPORTER OF CIVIL LIBERTIES - WARNS THAT OUR RIGHT TO PRIVACY IS UNDER THREAT.

The Government Has Confirmed That It Wants New Powers To Enable It To

 Snoop On All Of Us. 

Our right to privacy is under threat. The Government has confirmed that it wants new powers to snoop on all of us whenever we use the Internet. Soon they will start pushing their plans through Parliament. We can stop these Big Brother plans - if enough MP's feel enough pressure to vote against them. So now is the time to get clued up. We need to work out how to persuade every MP to vote to protect our privacy.

David Davis MP is a senior Conservative, a former Home Secretary and a long time supporter of civil liberties. He is hugely opposed to the Governments plans. He has agreed to hold an online question and answer session with 38 Degrees members. It's an opportunity to hear more about the snooping plan and how we can stop it. The live Internet briefing will take place on Tuesday 12th June at 7pm. You can take part from in front of your computer, all that you need is an Internet connection. Click to reserve your place and get instruction on how to join in: -

https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/David-Davis-live-briefing

If we are trying to persuade MP's, where better to get insider knowledge than direct from an MP? And David Davis is not just any MP - he is a prominent Conservative and a former minister. He has been on the receiving end of many 38 Degrees campaigns before. He will be able to tell us what works and how best to respond to Government spin. David Cameron claims that his plans to invade our privacy will make us safer. In reality this is about big brother powers to enable them to spy on all of us, and not just the serious criminals. It's the difference between treating all of us as citizens, and treating us as suspects.

38 Degree members know better than anyone that the Internet can be a force for good. It would be  a disaster if the Government got more powers to spy on it. So let's come together on the Internet next week and prepare to stand up for our privacy online. Click here to reserve your place and get instructions on how to join: -

https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/David-Davis-live-briefing

Marie Campbell - 38 Degrees (action@38degrees.org.uk)

PS. 38 Degrees members and David Davis MP probably would not agree about absolutely everything. But 38 Degrees works with politicians of any stripe or party where they agree with our campaign aims. On the question of Internet privacy, David Davis is on our side - so please join in next Tuesday and hear what he has to say.

OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS THE BBC BOARD OF TRUSTEES WILL BE DECIDING WHO TO APPOINT AS THE NEXT DIRECTOR GENERAL

The Media Have Already Begun To Take Bets On Who The Successful

Candidate Will Be.

Over the next few days, the BBC Board of Trustees could be deciding who to appoint as the next Director General - one of broadcasting's most important jobs. The media have already begun to take bets on who the successful candidate will be. Whilst outspoken politicians have already started point scoring by suggesting that the job should go to a candidate who is party political.

Lord Patten and the rest of the BBC Trustees have the final say on who gets the job. Let's show them that we will not stand for political game playing when it comes to such an important choice. 38 Degrees members have said that one of the most valuable things about the BBC is its independence. Together we can show Lord Patten that we would like him to keep it that way.

Please add you name to the letter to Lord Patten now: -

https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/protect-bbc-independence

The BBC is famous all over the world. people rely on its news reporting. Its programmes are enjoyed in countries thousands of miles away from the UK. The new Director General will be in charge of it all. It is vital that the right person ends up in the job - and that means someone who understands that the BBC's independence must never be compromised. We know that 38 Degrees members can influence the BBC's decisions. Two years ago we helped save 6Mmusic by convincing bosses to drop their plans to close the station. And BBC bosses must be glad that we saved the station now - 6Music have just won "UK Radio Station of the Year" at this year's Sony Awards.

Lord Patten knows that the BBC Trustees must protect the BBC from political interference. But he does not know how many of us want him to make sure that this is a top priority when the new Director General is chosen. Write to Lord Patten now - thanks for being involved.

Hannah Lownsbrough - 38 Degrees

(action@38degrees.org.uk) 

UNION LEADERS BEGIN THEIR SECOND MONTH OF HUNGER STRIKE - PLEASE GIVE THEM YOUR SUPPORT.

Nine Trade Union Leaders, Most Of Them Women, Have Now Been On Hunger

Strike For A Full Month In Algeria. 

They have appealed to the international labour movement for our support and solidarity, and have asked us all to take a moment of our time to send off messages of protest to the Country's president.

To learn more and to send of your message please click the link below: - http://www.labourstartcampaigns.net/show_campaign.cgi?c=unionbook Please spread the word to you friends and colleagues and ask them to support.

Eric Lee - UnionBook (mail@unionbook.org)

Visit Union Book at: -

http://www.unionbook.org/?xg_source=msg_mes_network

NATIONAL PENSIONERS CONVENTION ETHNIC MINORITY ELDERS CONFERENCE HELD AT THE LEICESTER AFRICAN CARIBBEAN CENTRE ON MAY 30TH 2012

Left To Right: - Dot Gibson NPC General Secretary, Claude James NPC Minority Elders London, Assistant Mayor of Leicester Councillor Manjula Sood, and Ruth Lake Director of Care Services for Leicester. Photo by Mina Rodgers.

This Conference was attended by around 200 delegates from the ethnic Minorities Group of Leicester and was chaired by Claude James from the NPC Elders Minority Group London. In opening the conference Councillor Manjula Sood welcomed all the speakers and delegates and spoke at some length about the Care Policies of the coalition Government and the effects of these cuts on our local communities. One of her core goals was to allow the real life experience of black minority elders to be heard by the policy makers, and in so doing change their experience of old age for the better. When asked a question by Brian Herbertson- why did Leicester City Councillor Mohamed Dawood not respond to the NPC Dignity Code sent to her office for distribution to all care agencies and Care Homes in Leicester? Her response was not very forthcoming.

Ruth Lake - Director of Care Services for Leicester, spoke about her own experiences as a Nurse and about making good quality care a reality for all, but she did not agree that there was a problem because young carers were not receiving proper training in how to care for the elderly. She also stressed that by enabling people to get more out of life is all about helping people to gain access to the things that makes for a decent quality of life. However, she did recognise that the ingredients of a fulfilled old age include experiences that encourage people to remain active and to engage with the wider world - such as recreation, friendships, networks and opportunities to learn as well as having services such as health and social care that caters for basic needs. During question time Ruth was attacked by several delegates about the effects of the cuts on their personal care and public services, she responded by stating that she would look into the issues raised and expressed solidarity with the Ethnic Elders Pensioners.

Dot Gibson: - General secretary of the National Pensioners Convention (NPC) provided the highlight of the Conference with an astonishing speech, which covered the following issues: She outlined to delegates the work of the NPC, how it meets with Government Ministers on a regular basis, closure of care homes, personal budgets, the NPC Dignity Code and the privatisation of the social care services. Today's pensioners are fighting not only for themselves but also for tomorrow's pensioners. All is not well as far as the health of the majority of older people is concerned. Increasing poverty, ill health, practical difficulties in gaining access to the right health and social care, all prevent the possible experience of a normal and decent life in old age.

For many older people managing a personal budget is stressful and in many  cases unmanageable. Owning a budget is meaningless if the market is not equipped to supply services to meet ones needs, She stated that care should be paid for through general taxation and delivered free of charge at the point of use. The prospect of the emerging market in Care Provision as a results of the Government's modernisation programme theoretically offers an opportunity for private and public providers to work together to provide high quality care. However elderly people are still not getting high quality care which they need. We still have a care system which is means-tested and people are having to sell their homes to pay for care.

Dot also expressed her concern about younger and untrained carers who are employed by many Care Agencies to care for the elderly. On top of doing the obvious Care givers, also need to have clear policies on how to accommodate the cultural sensitivities of their clients, on issues to do with body-care, which although not perceived by the service providers as important, may be very important to some of their service users (several examples were given by dot).

Liz Kendall: - Leicester MP - shadow Minister for Health & Care Services, addressed the Conference in the afternoon, but due to her very heavy work schedule, had to leave early. She spoke about her own elderly family member's experience of our health and care services. The shadow Minister stated that she was aware of all the problems facing older people in our society. She also mentioned that she was currently engaged in working on some new Health and Social Care Policies, but for obvious reasons was unable to discuss the issue with the Conference. The Conference ended with with a question and comment session, where the focus of attention was mainly on Carers allowance and families of Ethnic Minority Groups who care for their elderly relatives on a day to day basis, without any social or financial help from the Government.

In Conclusion: - The following are the main points arising from the floor during the discussion period:
a) The need to provide proper training for care staff - this a shift in outlook to make the principle of providing culturally sensitive care a core element in the training of carers.
b)  Recruiting highly trained Care staff and looking at the age of Carers. Making ethnic minority career - seekers aware of opportunities available in the caring profession.
c)  Dispelling of stereotypes and Developing an Evidence based Policy. Services must be designed to reflect the diversity of the population.
d)  Health inequalities. The high rate of heart disease and Diabetes among ethnic minority communities, we need to look at how health advice is communicated to elderly people.
e)  Representation of minority elders, involving minority services users in the design of Health and social care programmes.
f)  Easy access to Care Services/aids and equipment, and shaping the care minority elders receive rather than having to put up with whatever services are provided. Statutory providers who failed to make appropriate provision for minorities should be held accountable for their actions and inaction's.

Thank to all the speakers, the NPC Elders London for funding the Conference and all the delegates for attending.
Mina Rodgers - Conference Organiser (East Midlands NPC).