Prison Officers Pension Age 2022-07-05
2022-07-05
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The pension age for prison officers is a concern affecting recruitment and retention. Previous discussions with Cabinet colleagues have not yielded concrete results.
What discussions has the Minister had with Cabinet colleagues regarding the impact of the pension age of prison officers on staff (a) recruitment and (b) retention?
The Government are committed to recognising the extraordinary public service carried out by our hard-working prison staff and officers, and to ensuring that we have a modern employment offer that attracts and retains the very best. I am listening to and working with officers, staff and trade unions on all employment matters.
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Assessment & feedback
Discussions about pension age impact on recruitment and retention were not detailed
General Commitment Without Specifics
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The Minister agreed over six months ago to meet the Prison Officers Association to discuss prison officer pension age, but this meeting has not taken place.
The Minister agreed more than six months ago in this place and on a number of other occasions to meet with the professional trades union for prison, correctional and secure psychiatric workers—the Prison Officers Association—to discuss prison officer pension age as a standalone issue. Yet I am informed that that meeting is yet to happen or even to be scheduled. Does the Minister understand that making promises to prison officers and then breaking them is an insult to hundreds of my constituents in Durham, but entirely consistent with the way this Government treat those brave and loyal workers?
I thank the hon. Lady for raising this matter. I have in fact met the Prison Officers Association; indeed, I was delighted to attend its conference in Eastbourne a couple of months ago. In terms of pensions, I am determined to have a good employment offer for all our officers. I will continue to meet the POA union and the other unions that work in our prison estate.
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Assessment & feedback
Specifics about meeting schedule were not addressed
Referred To General Meetings
Deflected Criticism
Response accuracy