Pensions

Published: Friday, 14 January 2011 10:21

May 2011

The revised commutation factors for the Police Pension Scheme (PPS) 1987,  have just been issued by the Government Actuary’s Department (GAD). The new factors will apply to any member who retires on or after 20 April 2011.  The factors for all ages have been increased.

However, please note that, as some of the revised commutation factors are now higher than 20:1, there may be tax implications for some members. This is because the value of the commuted lump sum may now exceed the maximum permitted by HMRC, which is currently 25% of the total value of benefits vested. If the commuted lump sum does exceed the HMRC limit of 25%, the amount of the lump sum in excess of that limit will be deemed an unauthorised payment and subject to a 40% tax charge.

I would recommend members seek independent financial advice on their own particular circumstances. Disappointingly we were only informed of these changes by the Home Office yesterday.

I understand that they will shortly promulgate a Home Office Circular on the revised commutation factors, which I will ensure is circulated.

To view the new commutation factors please visit the national website www.polfed.org

The Chairman’s and General Secretary’s office are taking every opportunity when meeting with parliamentarians, media and other stakeholders to discuss in detail our concerns about government plans for police pensions as well  as the threat of detrimental change to police officer terms and conditions of service.

This week (14th January) Police Review is highlighting the ‘Protect the Police Pension’ campaign.

We have been speaking with Police Review about this campaign which aims to highlight the concerns police officers have about possible future changes to police pensions.

Please find attached a PDF of a letter that will appear in Police Review that can be printed off by members, completed and sent off to their local MP.

We support this campaign and in Police Review there will be a guest editorial by Chairman, Paul McKeever, in relation to this.

Download Police Pensions Letter (Adobe PDF)

Hutton Report

Published: Monday, 02 August 2010 09:35

May 2011

A Federation newsletter detailing the current activity is now available from your local representative or by following the link:

www.polfed.org

March 2011

Lord Hutton of Furness has today published his final report setting out his recommendations to the Government on public service pension arrangements that are sustainable and affordable in the long term and fair to both the public service workforce and the taxpayer, while protecting accrued rights.The final report is available today via the following link:

www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/pensionscommission

Please press F5 to refresh the page if you find it is not available.

Responding to the Hutton Review of pensions published today, Simon Reed, Vice-Chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, says:

"This is a further kick in the teeth for police officers. In a matter of weeks we have been told we'll face a two-year pay freeze, the Winsor Report which may see officers losing thousands of pounds per annum and now this.

"Does this government really want a Dad's Army of policing? Whilst experience counts, the dangers for the public of sending in 60-year old police officers to deal with public order situations and Friday night drunken brawls seems obvious.

"We have yet to meet with the Home Office to discuss the specifics of what officers will be expected to pay, but let's not forget we already had changes to the police pension scheme in 2006. To that end, officers are already expected to work longer and receive less."

October 2010

On 7 October 2010 the Independent Public Service Pensions Commission led by Lord Hutton has published its interim report. This report can be found at: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/hutton_pensionsinterim_071010.pdf

We are informed by the Home Office that the Government will give careful consideration to Lord Hutton’s recommendations before responding to the report. However, on initial reading of the 176-page report, the emerging theme is that “if the Government wishes to make short-term savings, then raising contribution rates would be the most effective way”, as opposed to reducing the level of benefits. The Commission also recommends that, in doing so the Government “should have regard to protecting the low paid and should not introduce contribution rates for the Armed Forces at this time.”

Aside from this, the recommendations are not scheme-specific and there is no suggestion as to how far contribution rates should rise. This means that there is no definite indication as to the implications, if any, for police pensions. In its report, the Commission concludes that the cost of funding public sector schemes has risen, within an increasing burden being shouldered by the tax-payer. According to the Commission, in many public sector pension schemes, at the time when they were initially established employees paid approximately half of the cost of funding those schemes, while today they pay somewhere between a fifth and a third of the cost of accrual. Although the Commission does not make this explicit, members of police pension schemes are at the top end of this range. The report also notes the relatively high contribution rate of police officers. While drawing no conclusions from this, it is also worth noting that the report contains far more analysis of the Local Government and NHS Pension Schemes.

The Government will now consider Lord Hutton’s recommendations before deciding on whether or not to accept this recommendation. Our understanding is that it is then for each scheme funder to consider the how they will take these recommendations forward, if accepted by Government. In the case of policing this would have to go through the Police Negotiating Board. However, you will also be aware that the Home Secretary has appointed Tom Winsor to undertake an independent review of police pay and conditions and it is possible that the recommendations of Lord Hutton may be explored within that separate review. We also still await the outcome of the Government Actuaries Department valuation of the Police Pension Scheme that is to take effect from April 2011.   Lord Hutton will also produce a final report in time for the Budget in 2011, which will look at longer-term structural reform of public sector pensions. This may include whether or not it is appropriate for schemes to move from a final salary basis to that of a career average. It will also look at whether there needs to be changes to retirement ages within each scheme.I will keep you informed of further developments.

The Staff Side response to the review of Public Sector Pensions by Lord Hutton is now available on the PFEW website.

www.polfed.org

Communities First

Published: Monday, 24 May 2010 12:01

24th November 2010

Preferencing of Police Officers

Negotiations have been held between the Federation and Communities First Team over the preferencing policy and proforma that will soon be distributed and utilised for posts during the Communities First consultation stage.

A point of clarification is needed as to who will be preferenced, which is as follows;

Officers to be preferenced

These will be Officers, of all ranks, who will experience a change to their posts as a result of the force restructuring following Communities First. This is expected to include all Officers of Inspector and Chief Inspector rank. Officers of Constable or Sergeant rank, whose posts will remain as a substantial role, will not be preferenced.

For example, Officers within an IMU or NPT post, who are more than likely to remain within those posts, will not be subject to a preferencing exercise.

Those Officers that are subject to preferencing are well advised to study the policy, which indicates the procedure to be followed, including the right of appeal if required.

16th November 2010

Communities First Consultation

Frequently asked questions and answers

1. What is the current position regarding pensions?
   The interim report for the Hutton Public Pensions review has now been released, with the final report being due in February 2010. There are two main solutions being suggested.Short Term SolutionAn increase in subscription rates being paid into pension schemes by members. Hutton does clarify that public pension subscriptions range from about 6% upwards, he does stress that the Police Service do already pay one of the highest rates of 11%, however the maximum allowed by legislation is 15%, hence there is room to increase our subscription rate.Long Term SolutionA move away from a final salary scheme to an average over term of career scheme, hence those Officers who have been promoted to higher ranks are more likely to be effected as an average will be taken and not just the best year of your last three in service as we have now!!This is just an interim report and is not yet set in stone as to the result of the recommendations.
2. What about the pensions tax threshold?
   Legislation is forthcoming to move the threshold allowance for the amount that can be placed into a pension pot, in any one year from £250,000 to £50,000. National Police federation are current awaiting legal advice on how this will affect federated ranks. Initial analysis suggests that Officers may well receive a detrimental effect if they are promoted from above the rank of Sergeant within their double accrual years of service, (last 10 years).
3. What’s happening with the A19 process?
   A19 is a pension regulation whereby a serving Police Officer with over 30 years pensionable service can be removed from position within the service, by a Police Force on grounds of forcewide efficiency.Some forces are starting to administer A19, namely North Wales, Strathclyde and Surrey.  However within Staffordshire no moves have been made by the force towards administering this process. As a federation our intention would be to ensure that A19 was administered fairly, without any discrimination to individual Officers. If not legal action will be considered.
4. Where do we find the Communities First packages?
   Updates for all Communities First packages can be found on the Staffordshire Police intranet. The Joint has appointed Leads on all packages involving federation members, details of which can be found on the federation website. All leads are actively involved in negotiations for the work packages and would welcome any feedback from Officers concerning their thoughts or experiences of the process.
5. There is a lack of meaningful consultation for the Communities First project between the management and staff, what can be done about it ?
   The opportunity is there for all members to feedback via either the communities first team, local management or federation leads. If you have particular frustrations we urge you to use these channels of communication. The lack of information for consultation is something which is coming through loud and clear from members and has already been stressed to the communities first team. The Chief Constable has given his assurance that consultation will be achieved and if necessary the federation will hold him to this commitment.
6. What is happening regarding the 2x2x2 shift pattern?
   This is one of the work packages, communities first are currently running various shift systems through the Ximes software package, which matches demand to resources, we are currently awaiting an update. The Chief Constable has stressed that there is no intention to get rid of the current shift pattern if it still meets our demand characteristics, also he wishes to remain with a forcewide shift system.
7. Northern CID are being asked to preference without knowing what shift system they are likely to be working, how can this be right?
   This is an issue that has now been fed back to the CID representatives on work packages and clarification is currently being sought on the updated situation as to shift systems. It is agreed that the decision to preference should be made on the best information available and refers back to the meaningful consultation issue. This remains an area of concern for the Joint Branch Board.
8. What’s happening regarding leave over the Olympics period?
   This is an issue which is currently under negotiation with the force, the federation position is that all Officers should be in a position to take some period of annual leave over the Olympics period of June to September 2012. It must be expected that some restrictions will be in place with the nationally agreed abstraction rate being 7%. It is expected that Officers will be allowed to carry additional annual leave days over into 2013 above the 5 days already allowed. The figure of which has not yet been decided.

19th October 2010

One of the main questions being asked concerning the Communities First project is "What's happening to the current 222 shift system?"

The current position is that the force have purchased the Ximes PDA software package which allows analysis of current shift working patterns.

It will be able to compare demand characteristics and police officer numbers with a shift pattern to produce information on how good a fit a shift system is. The software is currently being set up and will in the near future be used to test response policing shift systems, including our present "222 system" for continued viability with the expected reduction in officer numbers.

There is no desire by the force to throw out the current 5 shift system, but they will be testing other systems, including those containing 4 shifts. The Chief Constable has stated that he wishes to remain with a corporate shift pattern, however small tweaks may be introduced to meet the demands of particular unified policing areas. Although no shift pattern has been preferred for negotiation, the force are keen to remain with an introduction date of April, coinciding with Communities First, for any change to the current shift pattern.

We have stressed to them the need for full consultation on this issue as current Variable Shift Arrangement protocols do require the agreement of the majority of officers who will be required to work the revised system, including the agreement of the Joint Branch Board.

The Joint Branch are fully aware of the importance of this issue to all federated ranks and are working hard on your behalf to achieve an acceptable outcome. You will be informed of any further updates as soon as possible.

13th September 2010

Following the Command Team meeting on Friday 10th September 2010 Quality Assurances Packages covering four areas will be placed on the Force MYSPI system.

These give an outline of the direction the force will be taking in the restructuring.

The Federation have raised their concerns in these Quality Assurance Packages;

1. local policing
2. protective services
3. operational support
4. organisational support

2nd June 2010

As part of the formal consultation process with the force as they progress the Communities First Project, the JBB held an extraordinary JBB meeting on 1st June 2010 where they received a presentation from Ch.Supt. Mark Bates in relation to the work packages being progressed by various leads.

Following the presentation the JBB discussed all the work packages and identified individuals with the necessary skills and experience to assist, on your behalf, with the formal consultation process.  The JBB members identified are available to hear your specific concerns and will raise issues with the force prior to any decisions being made.

The Chief Constable will provide many opportunities for issues to be raised and discussed in various forums.  This is important work that the JBB are performing on your behalf and we will have a sincere opportunity of influencing the way in which the force adopt change for the future.  The force have provided opportunities for all individuals within the force to raise their concerns on the various Communities First blogs and the individual blog of DCC Paxton.

In order for your concerns to be heard we suggest you initially correspond with the force and any further concerns you are able to raise directly with the Federation representative identified on the work package or of course wiht us here at the Federation Office.

It must be recognised that whilst we have this opportunity of consultation with the force the final decisions made will be made by the Chief Constable and Police Authority but we have been assured that all our concerns that are raised will be given consideration during the decision making process.

You will be well aware following the launch of the force's Communities First Project by the Chief Constable that our Deputy Chief Constable, Mr. Paxton, head the Communities First Project Board and he, through his Communities First Blog, is publishing regular updates.

As your representative body and staff association we have engaged with the force and have ensured that the force publish regular updates and seek feedback from officers and police staff as the work unfolds.  The force have, at our request, ensured that there is the ability for individuals to raise concerns and ask questions directly with them by means of the FAQ section, which is where any member of staff is able to register their views and concerns.  In addition to that the force have agreed to hold focus groups and interviews on a one by one basis as part of the programme work.

The Executive Team and the Communities First Programme Team are meeting with managers across the county to discuss the future development within the force and they will be publishing summarised versions of the presentations within Mr. Paxton's blog.  Managers will be given an opportunity to seek feedback, ask questions and to give their views to the force.  Mr. Paxton has agreed to publish those details in due course.

You will be invited to give your views by Mr. Paxton within his blog and we encourage you to do so as the force wish to make informed decisions.

We recommend you visit Mr. Paxton's blog regularly to be kept fully appraised as to the progress of the work the force are undertaking.

The Staff Association, Superintendents' Association, Unision are all part of the consultation process and are all participating on your behalf at the project board level.  The Chief Constable has stated that there will be 5 opportunities for the Federation to raise concerns on behalf of their members.

• first of all there are informal meetings between the Federation and the force
• the Federation have representatives on the Communities First Project Board
• the Federation have monthly Trade Union and Staff Association Meetings with the force
• we have quarterly JNCC meetings and finally
• Police Authority and Consultative meetings which we attend.

The force have recently published, as part of the Communities First project, a number of work packages to further progress the vast amount of work that still needs to be done as the force changes shape in readiness for a reducing budget and reducing staff numbers.  The work packages have been published by Mr. Paxton on the 13th May 2010 and the Federation, on your behalf, will be engaged in a number of these packages, working with the force to ensure that the views of the work force are made known to the decision makers.

Members of the Joint Branch Board of all ranks will be participating on your behalf and we will be utilising those JBB members with particular knowledge and skills in relevant areas.

We will keep you posted as things develop throughout this latest news section.

We do encourage you to raise concerns with either the force or ourselves.

Police Federation National Detective Forum

Published: Monday, 19 October 2009 10:45

DC Cliff Hough is the Constables' Regional representative for the Police Federation National Detective Forum (PFNDF).

The Forum is concerned with a number of Detective issues, especially Workforce Modernisation.  Attached is a link to the site direct to the PFNDF and we would encourage you to look at the topics currently relevant to YOU.

Any feedback or information on any of the topics can be sent in confidence directly to the Forum or to DC Hough who will input it for you.

This is a great opportunity for Detectives of all ranks to have a direct input on their future - please take it.

http://www.pfndf.co.uk

Know Your Rights No. 3 - Overtime

Published: Thursday, 03 September 2009 11:29

This leaflet is available to view as an Adobe PDF.