Occupational Pension Schemes

Conference is opposed to recent proposals to limit the right of individuals to take early retirement from the age of 50 onwards. Conference considers that this is part of an ongoing exercise by the employers and the government to make people work longer and, by implication, have less time in which to enjoy their pensions. […]

Driving and Prescription Drugs

Following a survey undertaken by Aston University and commissioned by the Department of Transport earlier this year, it was found that many elderly drivers were driving under the influence of drugs, in the form of strong medications issued legitimately, and prescribed by doctors who were not aware that the patient was intending to or in […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Review of the National Lay Membership Structure

This conference notes the actions taken to date by the Executive regarding the review of the Energy, Transport and Water and Environment service group structures at national level. Conference notes the outcome of the consultation exercise with all three service groups. Conference further notes that the majority of Water and Environment branches who responded have […]

Health and Safety

Conference notes with concern the lack of guidance and advice for branches relating to health and safety issues for police staff. More and more of our members are becoming ‘front-line staff’ yet information on health and safety for police specific issues is rare. The police service is going through many changes and branch resources are […]

Short -Term Funding

Conference notes the continued short-term funding for police staff for initiatives such as PSCOs and Custody Officers. Conference also notes that the short- term funding for Volume Crime Investigators is soon to run out. The reluctance of the Home Office to recognise that successful initiatives should be permanently funded is unacceptable. Continuance of this stance […]

Workforce Modernisation

Conference understands that the Home Office wishes to engage with UNISON and other stakeholders over a police pay and workforce strategy for England and Wales. Conference notes that this engagement may now take place in the context of the PSC Pay and Reward Review. Conference confirms that it wishes to see the following problems being […]

Negotiating an End to Disability Discrimination

This Police Staff Conference applauds the work undertaken by UNISON’s National Disabled Members Committee to promote negotiated agreements that make provision for Disability Leave. We are concerned that there is no adequate legislative provision to compel Police Authorities to disregard disability related absence and the consequence of this in relation to sickness absence procedures. There […]

Police Staff SGE Annual Report

This Conference receives the report of the Police Staff Service Group Executive.

Use of Titles to DEscribe Police Staff

Conference welcomes the tremendous effort in furthering our professionalism through our name – Police Staff. However, some of our colleagues in the Staff Associations (ACPO, PSA and Federation) insist on using other terms to differentiate our professionalism. The use of such terminology could be interpreted as a deliberate attempt to ensure less favourable development towards […]