In our circular of the 8th February we advised members that CLG has set up an Ill health Review Working Group to look at Ill Health Retirements (IHRs) we now know that these have reduced significantly in the period between 2003 -2007, this data backs up what we’ve believed for some time.

In addition figures were made available which showed that IHRs for the RDS had also reduced over the same period, however as our members will be aware, whilst RDS were previously entitled to limited benefits within the FPS should they sustain a permanent injury whilst on duty; there was no entitlement to benefit for those personnel who were forcibly discharged due to ill health, which could be for a number of reasons which were not service related.

We have responded to CLG to request more data be made available to ascertain exactly how many RDS personnel were awarded an injury pension within the figures provided. We believe that this will provide the full picture as to how many RDS are awarded injury related pensions year on year and help to quell the myth that pensions for RDS are out of control and proving far too costly. We maintain that an RDS firefighter injured on duty that loses their primary employment as a result is entitled to expect that they will receive a pension which will help to compensate for any loss of primary income.

A copy of our submission to the group will be available in due course.

Believe the truth, not the rumour.

John Barton
General Secretary