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Speaking today (Thursday) in advance of the publication of the second and final report from the Independent Public Service Pensions Commission, chaired by Lord Hutton, TUC General Secretary, Brendan Barber said:

'The recommendations come at a time when the government has already signalled its intention to ask public service workers to stump up an extra £2.8bn a year in pensions contributions.

'Against the backdrop of increased job insecurity and a two-year pay freeze, public service workers will worry that the government is simply going to cherry-pick elements of Lord Hutton's report - choosing the recommendations which will result in them paying more, working longer, and receiving poorer pensions.

'The TUC and the unions are involved in negotiations with the government about proposed contribution increases. These increases are not needed, and will be an extra tax on teachers, civil servants, local government employees, firefighters, nurses and millions of other public service workers.

'The pension schemes are already sustainable and their cost as a proportion of GDP is set to fall over time. The government must listen to the concerns of public sector employees, and avoid imposing changes that will leave workers with poorer pensions, and lead to people dropping out of schemes, leaving them with no provision in their old age.'

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