Local Government Pension Scheme

Conference is alarmed at the threat to the Local Government Pension Scheme posed by the government’s plans to introduce amended regulations. Conference sees this as part of a wider move to undermine pensions in general. Conference calls on the National Retired Members’ Committee and all retired members’ sections to support the TUC’s Pay Up For […]

Qualifying Dates for Additional Payments

Conference expresses its concern that additional payments for items such as the winter fuel allowance are subject to the recipient attaining the specified age by a certain date. It feels that this means a number of pensioners do not become entitled to the payment until the following year. Conference therefore calls upon the National Retired […]

Concessionary Fares

Conference is conscious that pensioners in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and some areas of England currently enjoy schemes which allow them free use of public transport. It is also aware that there are schemes where reduced rates are available subject to local authority boundary limitations. This appears to be a post code lottery and […]

Restoration of the Value of the State Pension

The pension credits scheme was introduced in October 2003 but many pensioners have still not applied for this means-tested benefit. John Denham, Labour MP for Southampton Itchen, has confirmed that the surplus in the national insurance fund this year amounts to £30 billion. The government actuary has ruled that £5 billion has to be retained […]

Packaging Standards

Conference calls upon the National Executive Council to make representation to the appropriate organisation responsible for packaging standards, with a view to easing the opening of packages, jars and bottles for older people. Considerable difficulties are experienced in opening packages, jars and bottles, especially when suffering with fingers and hands crippled with arthritis/rheumatism and so […]

NHS Dentistry

Conference calls upon the National Executive Council to take appropriate steps to ensure the government addresses the problem of lack of National Health Service dental provision. The shortage of such dental practices is discriminating against older people on low incomes who are unable to afford private treatment.

Free Travel Pass

Progress has been slow towards achieving a free travel pass on all public transport for those reaching the accepted national retirement age and over. At present discrimination exists as 20 per cent of the country have a free travel pass and 80 per cent do not. Conference instructs UNISON National Retired Members’ Committee, and calls […]

Links with Other Associations/Agencies

Conference welcomes the continued efforts of the Service Group Executive in harmonising liaison between differing agencies. Conference believes that such relationships are invaluable in furthering our efforts in securing improved working lives for our members. Conference therefore instructs the Service Group Executive to: 1)continue to improve our working relationship with the HMIC, ACPO, the Police […]

Police Staff Council Joint Advice

Conference notes with growing concern that policies developed by ACPO for police officers are continuously being put forward by Forces for implementation for police staff. Branches are frequently put under pressure to agree to their implementation or they are unilaterally enforced. Refusal to accept or to enter into discussions is putting unnecessary pressure on branches. […]

Report Back on Conference Motions

This Conference understands the workload of the Service Group Executive is increasing year on year. Since the formation of the service group the motions brought to Conference have increased as we have developed. In addition the police service is a rapidly changing service driven by the Home Office, public pressure and the force itself. In […]

Police Staff Council (England and Wales)

Conference welcomes the renaming of the Police Support Staff Council as the Police Staff Council (England and Wales) and the enhanced role of the Council enshrined in the revised PSC Handbook. Conference also believes that Home Office admission to the Council will improve the status and effectiveness of the machinery. However, Conference is concerned that […]

Domestic Violence

Conference recognises that domestic violence is an issue that affects police staff members both as workers and as citizens. It is an issue that is relevant to both policing and trade unions. Conference welcomes the recent moves by Government to raise awareness of domestic violence and to improve the provision of services to victims, particularly […]

Public Holidays at Weekends

Conference notes that this year Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day fall on a weekend. On these occasions Police Officers working shifts receive paid compensation additional to the Saturday and Sunday, i.e. Monday 26 December, Tuesday 27 December and Monday 2 January are effectively Bank and Public Holidays, for which Police Officers are […]

Salary Cards

Conference notes last year’s motion (No 23 and amendment 23.1) on salary cards was carried as amended. The motion instructed the Service Group Executive to produce salary cards each year with revised salary scales. Conference notes that such a card was produced but was inadequate as it did not contain the spinal column points. Conference […]

Police Reform

Conference is disappointed that again the Home Office are issuing guidance and statistics under the banner of ‘Police Reform’ which is excluding police staff in a number of areas. The Home Office is either not aware of, or are choosing to ignore, the wide range of roles that police staff perform. Conference instructs the Service […]