£32 million for police and fire fighters pensions

SNP MSP Nigel Don, a member of the Scottish Parliament's Justice Committee, has welcomed the injection of £32 million by the SNP Government to meet the extra cost of revised pension arrangements for police officers and fire fighters.

Mr Don also said this showed the SNP Government stepping in to fund payments after the refusal of the UK Treasury to stick to its financial obligations and to provide funds from Barnett Consequentials to pay for pension changes for the police and fire and rescue services initiated across the UK by the Home Office.

Commenting Mr Don said:

"This extra £32 million for the pensions of police officers and fire fighters north of the border is very welcome and shows that the SNP Government is determined to deliver for members of the emergency services.

"The refusal of the London Treasury to meet the extra costs will help end the uncertainty they have caused by failing to treat our police officers and fire fighters the same way as their colleagues south of the border.

"By meeting these costs the SNP Government has put the onus on the UK government to meet the obligations of those Barnett Consequentials and provide the extra funding they have accessed south of the border.

"The comments from both the Scottish Police Federation and Fire Brigades Union will add to that pressure.

"I also welcome the announcement that the Scottish Government is actively discussing the long term pensions issues by looking to a joint solution with COSLA and representatives of the Police and Fire services. The Labour Government in London may not be willing to honour it's responsibilities to Scotland's fire and police forces but from today's announcement it is clear the Scottish Government takes it's obligation to these vital workers very seriously."