Fact Service October 2022

Issue 43

Union win means payout for thousands

Nearly 9,000 firefighters will receive at least £3,750 after the FBU union won its case that government pension changes were unfair and discriminatory

The case began after the government tried to bring in public sector pension reforms in 2015, and included provisions that protected only older firefighters (see previous issues). The FBU successfully argued that this amounted to age discrimination.

The money is compensation for anxiety, distress and related feelings. Claimants with additional reasons for being aggrieved will receive £7,250 in total.

Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: “We are pleased to have been able to win this for our members. This is a significant step on the road to putting the situation with regards to firefighters’ pensions right but there is still further to go. This is a mess of the government’s making.”

https://www.fbu.org.uk/news/2022/10/20/9000-firefighters-receive-least-nearly-ps4000-compensation-pensions-win