BMA Calls For Urgent Consultation On Pensions Review In Scotland



The British Medical Association (BMA) in Scotland has today written to the Scottish Government calling on Ministers to undertake a national consultation on the proposed changes to the NHS pension scheme. The call follows the publication of a consultation on the changes in England and Wales. 

Dr Brian Keighley, Chairman of the BMA in Scotland, said: 

“Without a Scottish consultation, doctors and other NHS staff in Scotland will not have a voice in this important issue. It is imperative that the Scottish Government seeks the views of those affected by the proposed changes in order to contribute to this consultation process.”

 The proposals contained in the consultation (in England and Wales) would result in significant increases in contribution rates for doctors, of up to 2.4% from April 2012. The Treasury ultimately intends to increase contributions by up to 6% by 2014/15.

 Dr Keighley added:

 “Given the significance of these proposals, and that it is usual practice for the NHS Superannuation Scheme (Scotland) to adopt the same provisions as the England and Wales scheme, we are asking the government to undertake a full consultation on any proposed changes to the Scottish scheme.

 The Scottish Government has publicly expressed its concerns about changes to public sector pensions and shares many of our concerns. Whilst we appreciate that the Scottish Government is constrained in relation to public sector pensions, we would hope that a Scottish consultation together with an appropriate response from the Scottish Government, would help to influence the approach of the UK Government on this issue.”

Counterfeit Clothing Seized At Stansted

Designer fakes worth an estimated £750,000 have been discoverd by the UK Border Agency. In a month-long operation officers seized approximately 15,000 individual items. All the fake goods had been flown to the UK from Turkey as freight. Designer brands discovered included Giorgio Armani, Ralph Lauren, Gucci, Hugo Boss, La Martina and Fred Perry. Sarah Wolstenholme, the UK Border Agency's Assistant Director at Stansted Airport, said: “Make no mistake, the manufacture and sale of counterfeit goods is not a victimless crime. The profit that smugglers make from these items is often recycled into other more serious forms of criminality. Counterfeit products are also sold on the black market, meaning the Treasury loses vital revenue which has an impact on all law-abiding taxpayers. Many people enjoy finding a bargain but counterfeit goods are just the tip of the criminal iceberg. Quite simply, if a price appears too good to be true, whether found on the internet or at a car boot sale, it probably is.”

BTP Takes Great Pride In Its latest Operation

Officers from the Liverpool City Neighbourhood Policing Team will be out and about during the second annual Pride event on 6 and 7 August. The team will be providing a high profile presence at stations across the city, particularly Moorfields, Central, James Street and Lime Street, to ensure all festival goers can move about Liverpool safely. Sergeant Dave Rams, who heads the NPT, said: “Pride is a hugely important event on Liverpool’s calendar and our work throughout the festivals underlines BTP’s commitment to providing an excellent policing service to everyone who works in, lives in and visits the city.” He added: “We have done a huge amount of work to develop links with the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and trans-gender communities and Pride presents another opportunity to strengthen these links. As well as the identified stations, BTP officers will be on hand throughout the weekend and will travel on certain trains to provide reassurance and deal with troublemakers."

(BMcN/GK)