Clarification needed over Pensions

GOVERNMENT SENDING OUT WRONG MESSAGE ON ARMED FORCES PENSIONS SAYS MP

Hugh Robertson has attacked proposed changes to the Armed Forces Pension arrangements. Hugh was a serving army officer for ten years and is the Conservative Defence Whip.

The Armed Forces Pension Bill, which recently completed its progress through the House of Commons, grants pension rights to unmarried partners and same sex couples. It finances these changes by increasing the age at which full pensions are paid from 60 to 65 and cutting the value of early departure schemes.

Hugh said: “This bill sends out entirely the wrong message at a time when our Armed Forces are busier than ever before. The changes affecting same sex and unmarried partners are to be welcomed but they should not have been paid for by cutting benefits to Servicemen and Women.

“The problem with this bill is that it was drawn up, on Treasury instructions, on a cost neutral basis. It should have been drawn up to meet the requirements of the Armed Forces in the 21st Century with the tax payer meeting the cost.

“I cannot think of a worse message to send at a time when so many of our Armed Forces are deployed on active service!”