For Jobs. The Civil Service (particularly the Department for Work and Pensions) is one of (if not the) largest employers on the Fylde Coast, however recent Ministerial figures indicate that there are now circa 5,000 DWP staff on the Fylde Coast. There used to be thousands more.
There have already been over two thousand one hundred jobs cuts on the Fylde. The Government wants to cut many more Civil Service jobs, both in DWP and SPVA. The Government wants to slash the compensation that we would receive when we lose our jobs. This is grossly unjust.
For Pensions. Pensions are deferred pay. The Interim Hutton report indicates that we should now be expected to pay an average of an additional 3% for our Pensions. The full report is expected shortly and may contain further attacks.
For Fair Pay. Freezing Public Sector Pay (or severely restricting pay rises) is unfair, particularly so in the Civil Service as the cost of our Pay Progression comes out of the Pay Rise, unlike other areas of the Public Sector where it is funded separately.
The Positive Alternative
We didn’t create the financial mess, why should we be expected to pay for the excesses of the financial speculators with our jobs, our pensions and our pay. There is an alternative. That is to collect taxes. At present there are £120 billion of evaded, avoidance and uncollected taxes, mainly owed by the rich and big business. They avoid paying taxes (Corporation Tax, VAT, and Income Tax). They should be made to pay their fair dues and the country should use this money to invest in services, jobs, pensions and to build a better society.
What you can do to help
We would encourage all members to write to their MPs and ask them if they will be supporting the Alternative, and if they will be standing up for the Fylde.
The PCS "There is an Alternative" campaigns page can be found here.
