24 November 2006
Details of a revised pension scheme for 1.7 million local
authority workers have been outlined by the government.
From April 2008, they will have to pay higher contributions,
although the rate at which their final salary pension will build up
has been improved.
In March, hundreds of thousands of council staff went on strike
over plans to close a loophole that allowed some staff to retire
early on full pension.
This is now going to be phased out between now and 2020.
The local government minister, Phil Woolas, said: "These reforms
will help to stabilise costs, while honouring the government's
intention to ensure that no additional costs are imposed on
taxpayers."
