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Clean Politics > Published by Daniel Elton, September 15th 2011 at 8:43 am

Don’t buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall

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As soon as the TUC voted to undertake industrial action in defence of public sector pensions on November 30th, the right-wing ideologues were doing the rounds of TV studios.

Attack dogs like Mark Littlewood, Director-General of the Institute for Economic Affairs, laid out their central argument, which is that, both in terms of short-term deficit reduction and long-term debt maintenance, public sector pensions are unsustainable.

You are likely to hear that a lot over the next few months. However, it is worth repeating again and again and again that it is not true. As reported by Stephen Henderson on Left Foot Forward in July:

“The Office of Budget Responsibility’s July 2011 Fiscal Sustainability report (pdf) looks long into the future (2060) and guesses at the likely proportions of GDP that might arise as the population becomes more elderly.

“The assumptions are based on current policies, not government proposals. Confirming earlier findings in the Hutton Report (pdf), they clearly predict the cost of public pensions will fall from 2% of GDP to 1.8% in 2030 and 1.4% in 2060 – without any of the current Hutton proposals.”

And, as written by Michael Burke earlier that month:

The justification for the attack on public sector pensions is rapidly being unravelled. The chart below has had a good airing and even made it onto the BBC’s main news programme last night.

Projected-benefit-payments-as-a-percentage-of-GDP

Ministers Francis Maude and Justine Greening have attempted to supplement this point with the claim that the costs will rise ‘as we are all living longer’. But this factor is already included in the Hutton (pdf) calculations of falling costs, as rising life expectancy is included in the calculation (clearly noted in the chart).

Burke went on to argue:

“The real reason for the attack on public sector pensions is actually set out in the terms of reference that Hutton accepted from the government.

“In the very first point of the terms of reference Hutton must have regard to:

“‘the growing disparity between public service and private sector pension provision, in the context of the overall reward package – including the impact on labour market mobility between public and private sectors and pensions as a barrier to greater plurality of provision of public services…’

“The ‘greater plurarity of provision of public services’ is Treasury-speak for privatisation; therefore the very first objective of the review is to ensure private firms can take over the functions of the public sector services – and that they can do so without the costly inconvenience of providing pensions.”

Whatever is being disputed here, it is not about affordability. As the right-wing noise machine roars into life, remember that fact.

  • http://twitter.com/northerntuc/status/114243391562326016 Northern TUC

    Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall: http://t.co/VBil5YMn writes @danielelton #pensions #TUC

  • http://twitter.com/knox_harrington/status/114243431307542528 Neil Atkinson

    Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall: http://t.co/VBil5YMn writes @danielelton #pensions #TUC

  • http://twitter.com/danielelton/status/114243487880314880 Daniel Elton

    @sunny_hundal @OwenJones84 Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall: http://t.co/2B73pMiK on @leftfootfwd

  • http://twitter.com/politicalplanet/status/114243639064018944 Political Planet

    Don’t buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall: Whatever the rightwing attack dogs say, … http://t.co/7dJWoqdZ

  • http://twitter.com/gemmatumelty/status/114243799781351424 Gemma Tumelty

    RT @leftfootfwd Don't buy right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall: http://t.co/LKJ1TGfB writes @danielelton #pensions #TUC

  • http://twitter.com/danielelton/status/114243918727622656 Daniel Elton

    @MaryxMaguire @SamTarry Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall: http://t.co/2B73pMiK on @leftfootfwd

  • http://twitter.com/evamahar/status/114244250169909248 Eva Mahar

    Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall: http://t.co/VBil5YMn writes @danielelton #pensions #TUC

  • http://twitter.com/danielelton/status/114244550331072513 Daniel Elton

    @Ismaelhanif @Markfergusonuk Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall: http://t.co/2B73pMiK on @leftfootfwd

  • http://twitter.com/eddy39/status/114244947691061248 Graham

    Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall: http://t.co/VBil5YMn writes @danielelton #pensions #TUC

  • http://twitter.com/petebrookes/status/114245288851550208 pete brookes

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  • http://twitter.com/notapatchon/status/114245472968904704 not a patch on…

    Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall: http://t.co/VBil5YMn writes @danielelton #pensions #TUC

  • http://twitter.com/deadbloke/status/114245726606852096 Mags

    RT @leftfootfwd: Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall: http://t.co/403jmsDR writes @danielelton #pensions

  • http://twitter.com/degsypcs/status/114245939094495232 derek thomson

    Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall: http://t.co/VBil5YMn writes @danielelton #pensions #TUC

  • http://twitter.com/coolchiccy/status/114245944291246080 Amanda Hodgson

    Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall: http://t.co/VBil5YMn writes @danielelton #pensions #TUC

  • http://twitter.com/mariebethk/status/114246090198482945 Mariebeth Kilbride

    Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall: http://t.co/VBil5YMn writes @danielelton #pensions #TUC

  • http://twitter.com/curlyminx/status/114246217264930816 Debs

    Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall: http://t.co/VBil5YMn writes @danielelton #pensions #TUC

  • http://twitter.com/falseecon/status/114246245354192896 False Economy

    Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall: http://t.co/W8t7kdzz writes @danielelton @leftfootfwd #Nov30

  • http://twitter.com/leecurran/status/114246498094559233 Lee Curran

    Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall: http://t.co/VBil5YMn writes @danielelton #pensions #TUC

  • http://twitter.com/singhdasa/status/114247178196762624 Shirley Humphreys

    RT @leftfootfwd: Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall http://t.co/dSJl5rKq

  • http://twitter.com/nautilusinred/status/114247352109379584 Nautilus in Red

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  • http://twitter.com/sea55red/status/114247801902338049 Sandra Ayres

    Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall: http://t.co/VBil5YMn writes @danielelton #pensions #TUC

  • http://twitter.com/lenarthur2/status/114247944521265152 Len Arthur

    Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall: http://t.co/VBil5YMn writes @danielelton #pensions #TUC

  • http://twitter.com/ravensrod/status/114248504381161472 Ferret Dave

    Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall: http://t.co/W8t7kdzz writes @danielelton @leftfootfwd #Nov30

  • http://twitter.com/vivlives001/status/114248514019667968 Viv Williams

    RT @leftfootfwd Don't buy right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall: http://t.co/LKJ1TGfB writes @danielelton #pensions #TUC

  • http://twitter.com/bzz88/status/114249596502425600 HeyHo ~ Leonard Ho

    Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall: http://t.co/W8t7kdzz writes @danielelton @leftfootfwd #Nov30

  • http://twitter.com/mark_brophy/status/114250183981809665 Mark Brophy

    Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall: http://t.co/VBil5YMn writes @danielelton #pensions #TUC

  • http://twitter.com/jonathand/status/114250356925542400 Jonathan Davis

    Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall: http://t.co/VBil5YMn writes @danielelton #pensions #TUC

  • http://twitter.com/john_mcirvine/status/114250408372867073 John McIrvine

    RT @leftfootfwd Don't buy right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall: http://t.co/LKJ1TGfB writes @danielelton #pensions #TUC

  • http://twitter.com/maryxmaguire/status/114251257425833984 Mary Maguire

    Public sector pensions – costs will fall – via @danielelton http://t.co/zsoZcsDa

  • http://twitter.com/lynnhancock/status/114251575005945856 Lynn Hancock

    RT @leftfootfwd: Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall http://t.co/vSNm7LP4

  • http://twitter.com/therightarticle/status/114251891856261120 Michael

    Don’t buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs are set to fall l Left Foot Forward – http://j.mp/nwAFvq

  • http://twitter.com/martinmcivor/status/114252524638322688 Martin McIvor

    Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall: http://t.co/W8t7kdzz writes @danielelton @leftfootfwd #Nov30

  • http://twitter.com/martinmcivor/status/114252878155223040 Martin McIvor

    Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall: http://t.co/VBil5YMn writes @danielelton #pensions #TUC

  • http://twitter.com/toddogroats/status/114252987282628608 david carpenter

    Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall: http://t.co/W8t7kdzz writes @danielelton @leftfootfwd #Nov30

  • http://twitter.com/liza_harding/status/114253058350911488 Liza Harding

    Don’t buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs are set to fall l Left Foot Forward – http://j.mp/nwAFvq

  • http://twitter.com/hannahgould1/status/114253287099858944 Hannah Gould

    Don’t buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs are set to fall l Left Foot Forward – http://j.mp/nwAFvq

  • http://twitter.com/robertstoker/status/114255001144143872 Robert Stoker

    @leftfootfwd @danielelton Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics! Or perhaps not in this case http://t.co/ry6uRWRK #pensions

  • http://twitter.com/nhsspy/status/114255176340226048 Watching You

    Don’t buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs are set to fall l Left Foot Forward – http://j.mp/nwAFvq

  • http://twitter.com/dogcatchicken/status/114255937170182144 Tim

    Don’t buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs are set to fall l Left Foot Forward – http://j.mp/nwAFvq

  • http://twitter.com/clarionsingers/status/114255949761495040 Birmingham Clarion

    Don’t buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs are set to fall l Left Foot Forward – http://j.mp/nwAFvq

  • http://twitter.com/simon_watkins/status/114257024648355840 Simon Watkins

    RT:“@TheRightArticle: Don’t buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs are set to fall l Left Foot Forward – http://t.co/zvXuLhBd”

  • http://twitter.com/brightonbeaker/status/114257626052833280 Ian Evans

    Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall: http://t.co/VBil5YMn writes @danielelton #pensions #TUC

  • http://twitter.com/tonybraisby/status/114258267416432640 Tony Braisby

    Public sector pensions – costs will fall – via @danielelton http://t.co/zsoZcsDa

  • http://twitter.com/danceswfascists/status/114258329446006784 Dances With Fascists

    Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall: As soon as the TUC voted to undertake in… http://t.co/yyRy5QoZ

  • http://twitter.com/shenanigans_pcs/status/114258935652954112 Helen Flanagan

    Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall: http://t.co/VBil5YMn writes @danielelton #pensions #TUC

  • http://twitter.com/brumagainstcuts/status/114259687565836288 Brum Against Cuts

    Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall: http://t.co/W8t7kdzz writes @danielelton @leftfootfwd #Nov30

  • http://twitter.com/steve_trow/status/114261646037356545 Steve Trow

    Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall: http://t.co/VBil5YMn writes @danielelton #pensions #TUC

  • http://twitter.com/sianrabi/status/114267701945438208 Sian Davies

    RT @leftfootfwd: Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall http://t.co/3arlyo0L

  • http://twitter.com/alanwarnernut/status/114273299256721409 Alan Warner

    Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall: http://t.co/VBil5YMn writes @danielelton #pensions #TUC

  • http://twitter.com/samtarry/status/114277265549950976 Samuel Tarry

    RT @danielelton: Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall: http://t.co/uPtXBuPB on @leftfootfwd

  • Ash

    Michael Burke lost a lot of credibility in my eyes when he wrote this piece of nonsense (linked to by LFF) back in March:

    http://socialisteconomicbulletin.blogspot.com/2011/03/hutton-report-is-attack-on-all-workers.html

    I’m still waiting for a reply to the comment I left on that page at the time.

    Fair’s fair though: his argument here doesn’t rest on any dodgy maths, and he’s right to draw attention to those terms of reference as revealing what the pension cuts are really about.

  • http://twitter.com/superfurryandy/status/114278170794004480 Andy Bean

    RT @leftfootfwd: Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall http://t.co/Y82Kh0ko

  • http://twitter.com/popdeath/status/114281035948240896 Chris Rowan

    Public sector pension costs against GDP to fall even if Hutton report not implemented http://t.co/wsBCUf12 . Don't swallow right-wing spin

  • http://twitter.com/shamikdas/status/114283051487477760 Shamik Das

    Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall: http://t.co/VBil5YMn writes @danielelton #pensions #TUC

  • http://www.iea.org.uk Mark Littlewood

    I’m not sure which clip/statement from me you’re referring to, but to be clear, my case for radical publuic sector reform is as follows:

    1. The present settlement is crushingly expensive. Projections of the bill falling as a % of GDP don’t rebut this point. It may be that I’m spending 5% of my personal income on cigarettes today but that this is set to fall to 4% by 2020. It could well be the case that I’m still spending too much on cigarettes – and that I’m spending much more, in real cash terms, on cigarettes by the end of the decade than I am today. If I’m also in chronic debt, it may also be the case that my cigarette spending needs to fall more substantially in order to get my personal finances under control.
    2. There are two arguments from a point of view of equity. One is that given the relatively generous levels of remuneration in the public sector compared to the private sector and the fact that public sector pay has increased so generously (in stark contrast to the productivity of the public sector), it seems unreasonable to expect the private sector to foot such an enormous bill. Without reform – and even, indeed, with some reform – relatively low paid people in the private sector, with thinner pension coverage, will be paying for the relatively generous pensions of public sector workers who have already had the benefit of higher earnings over their careers as well as earlier retirement. The other case is inter-generational. As a consequence of public sector pensions not being properly funded, my 5 year old nephew is going to pay for the pensions of doctors and teachers who have served me rather than him. It’s unsurprising we have reached this situation in many ways – the under-18s and unborn can’t vote, so shuffling present bills onto them is an attractive option for those of us who are on the electoral register.

  • Richy

    Mark,

    you don’t seem to refute the points on an evidential or mathematical basis, you’re just confirming your anti-public sector bias. If the share of GDP is already falling (due to already implemented reforms for new entrants to the schemes), where is the huge imperative to hit workers (whose wages have already suffered a 2 year pay freeze) with a huge contribution increase?

    Regarding Point 1 – so what is the exact amount we should spend on public sector pensions? Why is 2% of GDP too much, where should it fall to?

    Point 2 – So you are essentially arguing for a race to the bottom. As private sector companies have dropped final salary schemes (whilst director and management remuneration has rocketed), therefore public sector workers should also lose all favourable benefits?

    We need to seriously ask in this country what type of workers we want to attract into the public sectors. The covenant used to be that salaries would be less lucrative over the long term in the civil service, compared with the private sector, but they would be taken care of in retirement. With poor salaries (on average, not the department heads) and decreasing pensions, who will choose to work in the public sector?

  • Chris Clothier

    “The assumptions are based on current policies, not government proposals. Confirming earlier findings in the Hutton Report (pdf), they clearly predict the cost of public pensions will fall from 2% of GDP to 1.8% in 2030 and 1.4% in 2060 – without any of the current Hutton proposals.”

    That’s funny, on page two of the Financial Times today (15 September) is an article which says that the figures that you quote “assume we have successfully implemented the reforms”. That is a direct quote from Hutton himself. Shome mishtake, shurely?

  • http://twitter.com/iamanian/status/114387597324857344 Ian Gleed

    RT @unitetheunion RT @leftfootfwd: Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall http://t.co/9UL4BEJI #nov30

  • http://twitter.com/gillwatts/status/114392218244096000 Gill Watts

    RT @leftfootfwd Don't buy right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall: http://t.co/LKJ1TGfB writes @danielelton #pensions #TUC

  • http://twitter.com/whalebonebcr/status/114396399495430146 whalebonebcr

    RT @leftfootfwd: Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall http://t.co/A1VHCM2N #nov30

  • http://twitter.com/fbusouthern/status/114411074874376193 Region 12 Secretary

    RT @leftfootfwd: Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall http://t.co/vG14pOb4

  • http://twitter.com/shesgotspies/status/114414047801257984 ShesGotSpies

    RT @leftfootfwd: Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall http://t.co/YxEHZZfe #N30 #nov30

  • http://twitter.com/barryfunite/status/114421681312907264 barry f

    RT @leftfootfwd: Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall http://t.co/YxEHZZfe #N30 #nov30

  • http://twitter.com/paulrooke10/status/114439841516765184 Paul Rooke

    Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall : Left Foot Forw… http://t.co/xkkPu37h #Nov30

  • http://twitter.com/2me2you2me/status/114441347229954049 2me2you

    Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall : Left Foot Forw… http://t.co/xkkPu37h #Nov30

  • http://twitter.com/jonathanpsadler/status/114442603843424256 Jonathan Sadler

    Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall : Left Foot Forw… http://t.co/xkkPu37h #Nov30

  • http://twitter.com/stutakesphotos/status/114444579792625664 Stuart Hellingsworth

    Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall : Left Foot Forw… http://t.co/xkkPu37h #Nov30

  • http://twitter.com/purbeckpashmina/status/114445204316094464 Purbeck Pashmina

    Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall : Left Foot Forw… http://t.co/xkkPu37h #Nov30

  • http://www.iea.org.uk Mark Littlewood

    @Richy.

    I don’t think it’s a bias to point out that public sector workers are being given packages far better than their private sector counterparts. It’s just a fact.

    Neither do I think it’s a “race to the bottom”.

    The essential point is that private sector workers on say £10,000 or £12,000 per annum are going to be contributing to public sector pensions so generous that they are practically inconceivable in the private sector.

    For a fuller view of some IEA thoughts on the issue of public sector pensions, I commend http://www.iea.org.uk/publications/research/sir-humphreys-legacy-facing-to-the-cost-of-public-sector-pensions and http://www.iea.org.uk/blog/how-to-reform-public-sector-pensions

  • http://twitter.com/yrotitna/status/114457283441864705 Juan Voet

    #bbcqt well done Diane Abbot. This supports what she said http://t.co/75wpOG2P

  • Mr. Sensible

    I think this issue was reviewed in 2006.

    It is correct that both sides should nigociate, but it takes 2 to tango.

  • http://twitter.com/markpettifer65/status/114619874852089856 mark pettifer

    RT @leftfootfwd: Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall http://t.co/A1VHCM2N #nov30

  • http://twitter.com/andrewhodgepcs/status/114638393480192000 Andrew Hodge

    Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall : Left Foot Forw… http://t.co/xkkPu37h #Nov30

  • http://twitter.com/andrewhodgepcs/status/114638393480192000 Andrew Hodge

    Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall : Left Foot Forw… http://t.co/xkkPu37h #Nov30

  • http://twitter.com/raggyguy/status/114638952249573376 some bloke

    Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall: http://t.co/VBil5YMn writes @danielelton #pensions #TUC

  • http://twitter.com/raggyguy/status/114638952249573376 some bloke

    Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall: http://t.co/VBil5YMn writes @danielelton #pensions #TUC

  • http://twitter.com/londoniww/status/114655305404653569 London IWW

    Don’t buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall http://t.co/eoA2oq0d | #AntiCuts

  • Alex

    “They clearly predict the cost of public pensions will fall from 2% of GDP to 1.8% in 2030 and 1.4% in 2060.”

    This clearly isn’t true. The same OBR report that you quote says:

    “State pension costs increase from 5.5 per cent of GDP to 7.9 per cent of
    GDP as the population structure ages and State Second Pension
    entitlements mature.”

  • http://www.leftfootforward.org/2011/09/lord-john-hutton-pensions-report-coalition-defence/ Hutton should read his pensions report again before leaping to Cameron’s rescue | Left Foot Forward

    [...] refers to his own now-famous fan chart which shows public sector pension costs falling from 1.9% of GDP currently to 1.4% of GDP in 50 [...]

  • http://twitter.com/binthecondems/status/115026628580605953 sue

    Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall: http://t.co/VBil5YMn writes @danielelton #pensions #TUC

  • Leon Wolfson

    @7 – Don’t confuse public sector pensions and state pensions. They’re not the same thing at all.

  • http://twitter.com/tonydowling/status/115314352021712896 Tony Dowling

    Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall: http://t.co/W8t7kdzz writes @danielelton @leftfootfwd #Nov30

  • Graeme

    Mark,

    Your statement

    The essential point is that private sector workers on say £10,000 or £12,000 per annum are going to be contributing to public sector pensions so generous that they are practically inconceivable in the private sector.

    Could be easily be turned upside down. The vast majority of public sector workers earn less than the national average, their pensions are going to be small and through their taxes they are paying towards the tax breaks afforded to the private sector elite who earn more in a year than they will see in a lifetime.

    Instead of swallowing right wing guff people need to be aware of a few important details, public sector workers contribute money by way of monthly contributions to their pension, again the majority of these earn less than the national average salary. It’s not a free pension. There are high earners in the public sector but these are still paid less than the top private sector workers, let’s not go in the banking industry. The tax breaks afforded to the contributions of these top earners of the private sector are huge.

    There is unfairness with the private sector pensions of those on low pay, but you don’t resolve that by introducing unfairness to the public sector pensions. That is a race to the bottom but Governments are happy to set private against public sector in the age old tactic of divide and conquer.

    Private sector pensions suffered because they were either raided by various Governments or by the companies themselves wanting to boost profit to shareholders. That was done when they were in surplus, gambling that the economy would always be good and produce another surplus. We all know what happened next. The surplus if left would have provided some protection when the going got bad.

    The NHS workforforce is huge, but unlike private sector pension schemes there is no statement every year telling what’s in it. There is not a specific item in the Government accounts where they can point to and say that’s the pension pot. The reality is the Govt just spends it on whatever, wars, propping up banks, all sorts of reasons good and bad, but they gamble that the state of the nation will always allow them to pay out when needed.

    As for that trillion liability, irresponsible to say the least to avoid any comment that states that huge sums are being paid into the pot. That doesn’t suit the right wing agenda though does it?

    Private sector pensions aren’t fair for thousands, and that needs changing, but that would mean the Tory paymasters and the right wing taking a hit and they can’t bear that so it’s easier to try and con those workers into feeling better about themselves by hammering the public sector. Get the majority to the bottom and then the minority can accumulate even more eh ?

  • http://twitter.com/cupepension/status/116593490644836352 Kevin Skerrett

    RT @leftfootfwd: Don't buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall http://t.co/Zz4Ba6CK

  • http://twitter.com/kreynolds118/status/116594288065921024 Keith Reynolds

    The attack on public sector pensions in the UK fails the fact test http://t.co/WqJECEJD #cdnpoli

  • http://www.leftfootforward.org/2011/10/david-cameron-pensions-crisis/ Cameron’s talk won’t solve the pensions crisis | Left Foot Forward

    [...] also: • Don’t buy the right-wing spin: Public sector pension costs set to fall – Daniel Elton, September 15th [...]

  • http://www.leftfootforward.org/2011/11/look-left-25-11-11/ Look Left – Workers prepare to fight slasher Osborne | Left Foot Forward

    [...] on the affordability of pensions. Little wonder given our repeated debunking of Lord Hutton’s lies on [...]