MPs pension payment freeze infuriates British Bobbies

POLICE officers reacted with fury this week after hearing that proposed pension contribution rises for MPs have been suspended.

While British Bobbies face 1% and 1.25% rises to pension payments on 1 April – it has been revealed that the country’s MPs will be spared such increases.

After hearing the decision Neil Bowles, chairman of South Yorkshire Police Federation, said: “Are we really all in it together?”

Mr Bowles added: “Some people are more in it together than others. Why should one group of privileged public sector workers be given preferential treatment over the rest?”

The decision to drop the budgeted 1.85% increase in contributions for MPs was taken by the MPs’ expenses body Ipsa and is likely to face objections from the Treasury.

Jon Christopher, chairman of West Yorkshire Police Federation, labelled the decision ‘disgusting’.

Mr Christopher said: “This just shows the lack of fairness from this Government. It shows what they stand for. And that is looking after themselves.”

Last February, the Senior Salaries Review Body recommended that MPs’ pensions contributions should rise by 2.4% to reflect the amount paid by ordinary public sector workers.

But this was decreased to 1.85% following an intervention by Ipsa, an independent body that can decide how much MPs contribute in year on year increases.

The Treasury expected and budgeted for the same increase of 1.85% this year. But Ipsa decided to suspend the increase in expectation of an overhaul of MPs’ pay, pension and packages in the autumn.

On 1 April, the majority of English and Welsh officers – on the 30 year pension scheme (PPS) – face a 1.25% rise to their monthly contributions – up to 13.5%.

If police officers are on the newer 35 year scheme (NPPS), they face a 1% increase to a contribution rate of 11.5%.

Steve White, Vice-Chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales said: “Officers around the country will be livid and dismayed that having been promised fair treatment by this government, clearly MPs appear to be treated more favourably than others.

“This government is ruthlessly pursuing reforms to the public sector at breakneck speed and yet seems content for a review of their own pay and conditions to happen at a leisurely pace.”

MPs contribute an average of 13.2% of their £65,738 salaries into the schemes, which pay out after they reach 65.

Ipsa said it deferred the rise so the contribution rate could be considered alongside other aspects as part of a wholesale review of pay and pensions.

A spokesman said: “MPs’ pensions certainly need looking at. And that is why we are in the middle of a fundamental review looking at both MPs’ pensions and pay.”