Construction union UCATT have described John Hutton’s interim report on public sector pensions as misguided and that he has failed to adequately take into account the major reforms that have already been undertaken in public sector pension provision.

Alan Ritchie, General Secretary of Construction Union UCATT, said: "Hutton has failed to grasp that low paid workers in local government, the NHS and across the public sector simply cannot afford to pay increased amounts into their pensions. An increase in contributions will result in workers dropping out of schemes, increasing pension poverty in the future."


"Schemes such as the local government pension scheme have already undergone major reforms, with workers now making increased contributions. That scheme is fully funded and it would be immoral to try to unravel the recently agreed settlement."

Mr Ritchie added: "In the construction industry the vast majority of workers don’t have pensions and employers contribute nothing. After a lifetime of toil workers face poverty in their old age and have to rely on state support. The Government should be addressing these issues rather than undermining the pension arrangements of the few workers who do have pensions."

(CD/KMcA)