Unite is set to ballot its 6,000 members at Tata Steel UK for industrial action over its proposal to close the British Steel pension scheme (BSPS). Unite’s ballot for strike action and…Read more…
How responsible is responsible investment?
Responsible investment is a nice title and a growing industry, but how much difference does it really make to the way our pension funds are invested?
Courtesy of the excellent Nordic Horizons…Read more…
Pensions and infrastructure investment
Scottish pension funds should be used as a force for good as well as delivering high quality pensions for our members.
I was giving evidence to the Scottish Parliament Local Government Committee this…Read more…
Tata pensions strike
Steel workers at Tata will be balloted for strike action in an attempt to save their pension scheme from being closed down by Tata Steel Europe. Steel unions today (Monday April 13) announced…Read more…
“Union representatives here to stay on trustee boards”
The “Local Government Chronicle” reports huge fights currently going on between trade unions and Council officers about representation on the new Local Government Pension Scheme Boards.
It is clear that some Councils are trying to openly s…Read more…
Don’t believe the baloney – SHPS Pensions are not doomed. Accountants can’t count
“Inside Housing” on Friday had another gloomy article on the problems facing the Social Housing Pension Scheme (SHPS).
The “deficit” is apparently getting bigger and some Housing Associations are so worried that they are thinking of joining others who…Read more…
Time to take a closer look at your pension
There are some big changes in pensions next month and they are not all good news.
Today I am in Orkney on the latest stage of a pensions tour that has included training up our excellent new…Read more…
“…thieves and con merchants to steal and feast upon our members pensions…”
This was my speech to the UNISON Community Conference yesterday on Pensions. The Composite motion had been moved by Community member June Poole from Rochdale Local Government Branch on behalf of National Women’s Committee.
It was very positive to see…Read more…
Fidelity uses profits from your pension to fund the Tories and put you out of a job?
Check out Tom P post “Fidelity, the Tory-friendly fund manager”
Just think about it. The multi millionaire owners of Fidelity uses profits from managing Council pension funds to promote the Tories – who want to sack and/or destroy the pay and co…Read more…
Democratise our savings – Why we need a Magna Carta for Pensions
Many thanks to Henry Tapper for the plug on his website “Pension Playpen – Restoring Confidence in Pension”.
Henry talks sense and reflects a fairly widespread unease amongst member nominated trustees at least, that “professional” or corporate trustee…Read more…
Global Divestment Day
If we are to save the planet for future generations, it’s time to take action against the power and influence of the fossil fuel industry.
13th-14th February is Global Divestment Day. Thousands of…Read more…
Protecting our Pensions from Tory Con Trick
UNISON Housing Association delegate, Mitsy Harman, speaking at the regional AGM last week on our motion “Protect our Pensions” (see link here for text). This is an early draft of her speech.
“Council, from April 6 this year, this Conservative led gov…Read more…
Red Lines – How to start an Investment Governance Revolution
(this post was pulled in January since I didn’t realise that we had to wait until formal launch of Red Lines which took place yesterday. I will post further on this “revolutionary” proposal)
Picture is from last weeks workshop on “Red Lines” run joint…Read more…
NEC Elections 2015: Community General Seat & Female Seat Nomination Request
I posted last week that this is the Labour movement election season with my election address for the UNISON Greater London Regional Finance Convenor position. Yesterday evening I send out nomination requests for the UNISON NEC elections (see below). I …Read more…
“Protect Our Pensions” – Tories latest attempt to destroy peoples futures
While driving today I listened to “Money Box” on Radio 4. The programme was about investing a windfall. Experts warned about all the financial rogues and con merchants out there who will rob people out of their money. It remind…Read more…
Time to take action on pensions
There are some big changes to our pensions next year. The Scottish Local Government Pension Scheme changes next April and the UK government is allowing transfers out as a lump sum. In addition, new…Read more…
Questions on public service pensions accounting in the Autumn Statement
The Chancellor claimed that the Autumn Statement was a slight fiscal tightening – in other words, that predicted income resulting from the policies announced would slightly exceed predicted expenditure. I blogged yesterday about the considerable uncertainty surrounding the budget contribution the…Read more…
Join the Pension Scheme Revolt against Executive Greed at BG Group
I have just contacted my own pension schemes and asked them to ensure that our fund managers
are instructed to vote against BG Group paying its CEO up to £25 million.
If you agree then Click on the ShareAction links below to contact your own funds. It takes two minutes and all you need is the…Read more…
Why is there no sense of crisis about the future of the LGPS?
The AMNT yesterday sent in a response (below) to the Government (DCLG) consultation on proposed new regulations on how to run the new look Local Government Pension scheme (LGPS).
The LGPS is collectively the biggest funded Pension scheme in the UK and…Read more…
Civil servants to join public sector strike for higher wages
Our pay freeze is actually a 20% pay cut against inflation. That’s why the PCS union will join the mass strike on 10 July
Is it any wonder public sector workers are angry? They have seen executive…Read more…