RepsDirect No 163 - 18 December 2002



From
Head of Health, Roger Spiller General Secretary, Roger Lyons

1 NHS University

The development plan for the NHSU has now been published. There are consultation meetings taking place around the UK. In addition there is an opportunity for considered written comments as well. Amicus will be making a contribution and would like to hear your views for incorporation. The date we need to make our contribution is 10th February so please let us have your thoughts by then.

The report is available by phone on 0800 555 550 or www.nhsu.nhs.uk

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2 Pensions

Yesterday the Green Paper on pensions was launched. It deals with many issues which affect us all but in particular it refers to the prospect of moving the age at which public sector pensions become payable to 65. At this point no details are known except that the DoH has briefed us on some of the parameters.

  • Nothing will happen for some years.
  • It is proposed to apply to new starters
  • Negotiations will determine what happens
  • It will provide an opportunity for extensive discussions on all outstanding issues which the staff side and Amicus in particular have raised unsuccessfully over the past years.
  • Any cost savings could be shared with better benefits as well.

Amicus is establishing a small working group to look at an approach to this and associated pension issues. We shall then be seeking your views on pension issues to feed into the group.

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