Labour Party: Murphy calls on Govt to think again over plans to change Armed Forces pensions uprating

Shadow Defence Secretary Jim Murphy MP will call on the Government today to think again over their plans to permanently change Armed Forces pensions uprating from RPI to CPI in the Second Reading debate on the Armed Forces Bill.

He will say:

“The proposed permanent change to pensions shows this Government has lost the courage of its conscience. 

“Ministers must tell us why the bravest British servicemen and women fighting in Afghanistan now will receive poorer pensions for the rest of their lives. 

“It is also unforgivable that the Government plans to take away war widows’ pensions year on year. That is vital support they are entitled to. 

“This is not about deficit reduction as the results will be felt long after the deficit has been paid off.  This is an outrageous undermining of the military covenant. 

“The Government must think again and consider whether a temporary measure would be fairer.”