WIREDGOV

FDA members in the more senior grades of the civil service have voted to accept the deal negotiated with the Government for new pension arrangements from 2015. The result of the ballot was:

Accept - 73%

Reject - 27%

The turnout was 43%.

Dave Penman, FDA Deputy General Secretary, said:

"This result should not be interpreted as an endorsement by FDA members of the new scheme. FDA members remain deeply unhappy about aspects of the changes and the Government's approach to pension reform. The imposition of increases to pension contributions, and the Government's unilateral decision to devalue pensions in payment by switching the uprating index from RPI to CPI, has generated both anger and resentment.

"Members have seen their pay and living standards cut because of the 2012 increase in pension contributions imposed by the Government, alongside the continuing public sector pay freeze. This cut in living standards will be exacerbated by the further contribution increases planned for 2013 and 2014. These increases are nothing more than a levy on public sector workers, which the FDA has consistently opposed.

"The changes to pension arrangements, including the increases to contributions, will impact on the overall competitiveness of the total reward package. There is already considerable evidence that the pay levels of those in the more senior grades of the civil service are substantially below those for comparable jobs in the wider public and private sectors. A priority for the FDA in the coming months will be seeking action by employers and the Government to address these disparities in pay levels."

Notes for editors

1. The FDA is the trade union and professional body representing 18,000 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:

• Dave Penman, FDA Deputy General Secretary, tel: 020 7401 5555 or 07967 503827.
• Oliver Rowe, Communications Manager, tel: 020 7401 5588 or 07590 838696.