Health Secretary Andrew Lansley hasrejected the BMA’s call for further pension talks, disregarding the union’s poll as an “informal survey”.
In a letter to BMA Council Chair Dr HamishMeldrum, Lansley said December’s pension offer was the “best possible dealavailable”.
While he is open to meeting with Dr Meldrumto “discuss issues”, he said he would not re-open pension negotiations.
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley hasrejected the BMA’s call for further pension talks, disregarding the union’s poll as an “informal survey”.
In a letter to BMA Council Chair Dr HamishMeldrum, Lansley said December’s pension offer was the “best possible dealavailable”.
While he is open to meeting with Dr Meldrumto “discuss issues”, he said he would not re-open pension negotiations.
“I have the interests of the NHS at heart.I want NHS staff to be supported and properly rewarded,” said Lansley.
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has rejected the BMA’s call for further pension talks, disregarding the union’s poll as an “informal survey”.
In a letter to BMA Council Chair Dr Hamish Meldrum, Lansley said December’s pension offer was the “best possible deal available”.
While he is open to meeting with Dr Meldrum to “discuss issues”, he said he would not re-open pension negotiations.
“I have the interests of the NHS at heart. I want NHS staff to be supported and properly rewarded,” said Lansley.
“The major enhancements to the pensions scheme on offer during our discussions, which enabled us to reach the Heads of Agreement, reflected this.
“The NHS pension scheme will be amongst the best available anywhere.”
Lansley also said there was “no justification” for the BMA to start work on plans for strike action.
“No concessions will be won through the threat or use of industrial action,” he warned.
“Nor will the public accept, nor understand, how you can sign up to an excellent deal and then walk away from it on the strength of an informal survey to which less than 36% of all your members responded.”
The BMA's UK-wide survey of over 46,000 doctors on the government's NHS pension reform found 63% members said they would personally be prepared to take industrial action to "pursue changes to the pension proposals".
Yesterday’s (18 January) BMA Council meeting resulted in an outright rejection of the government's pension offer and has kick-started work on "detailed" strike plans.
