WIREDGOV

The Government's proposal to increase civil service pension contribution rates, launched in a consultation exercise yesterday, is completely unjustified, the FDA said. The FDA is the union representing senior managers and professionals in the civil service.

Jonathan Baume, FDA General Secretary, said:

"Any increase in pension contribution rates during a pay freeze and with the current relatively high inflation is completely unjustified. This is nothing more than a pay cut for civil servants as part of the Government's deficit reduction programme. It will do nothing to secure long-term sustainable pensions.

"The FDA has made clear to the Government that we will continue - as will the majority of unions - to explore every avenue towards reaching a satisfactory agreement, both on contribution rates and on the issues raised by Lord Hutton in his report on future pension scheme arrangements. These negotiations will be complex and difficult.

"However, if we are not able to reach agreement then industrial action is possible, and the FDA is continuing to make active preparations in the event that a ballot on industrial action is required. It is likely that any such industrial action would need to be sustained and co-ordinated across the public sector, if it is to achieve a change of approach from the Government."

Notes for editors

1. The FDA is the trade union and professional body representing 19,000 of the UK's senior civil and public servants. Our members include policy advisors, senior managers, tax inspectors, economists, statisticians, accountants, special advisers, government lawyers, diplomats, crown prosecutors and NHS managers.

2. Members in HMRC are represented by the Association of Revenue and Customs (ARC), a section of the FDA.

3. The FDA (formerly the First Division Association) should be referred to simply as "The FDA" and can be described as "the senior public servants' union".

4. For further information contact:

• Jonathan Baume, FDA General Secretary, tel: 020 7401 5555 or 07976 951191.
• Oliver Rowe, Communications Manager, tel: 020 7401 5588 or 07590 838696.