Save Our Pension
PENSIONS TALKS The NUT has been involved in serious talks with the Government for months now, our negotiating team are taking it very seriously but alas the Government does not appear to be. They are not prepared to make any concessions at all. As part of the 2006 agreement we agreed to something called "cap and share" whereas we would pay more into the pension scheme if it was shown that the costs of the scheme were increasing.
At the moment the Government are refusing to carry out a full valuation of the TPS however the National Audit Office has confirmed what the Trade Unions have been saying, which is that the costs of the scheme are falling due to the changes made in 2006.
Campaigns
For information on the NUT campaigns, please go to the national website www.teachers.org.uk and search through the campaign tab
Fun at the Forum Well over 700 teachers, civil servants, lecturers, parents and children, gathered on a warm, cloudy afternoon to hear a magnificent line up of speakers. The main message was the fury and disappointment at the government for their attack on the pensions of teachers and civil servants; at a time of pay freezes, rising inflation and rising costs for food, petrol and energy prices, in addition to redundancies and cuts to front line services. However, the afternoon was not all doom and gloom, with the crowds being entertained by Street Theatre, music and face-painting to lift the mood.
The main speakers were Kendra Deacon of the NUT National Executive, Andrew McCandlish , County Secretary for ATL, Nick O’Brien from ‘Right to Work’, Julie Bremner of PCS, Mark Hughes of UCU and Alex Fitches a student from the UEA
Chrissie Smith, NUT Association Secretary for South Norfolk and Breckland commented that the day had been “A roaring success” and that it was “fantastic to see so many different Unions, and people of all ages, from all walks of life, coming together in Solidarity.
Overall the mood was extremely positive and united. The central message which was shared by all, was summed up by Bridget Sutton - a parent from Wymondham who said “Our teachers and Public Services Staff have worked hard and paid into their own pension funds, only to have the government pull the carpet out from beneath them with no way of making up the shortfall. It’s wrong and everyone should support this strike action”. She further added, “It is to the credit of Norfolk teachers that they have all turned out here today when schools were already closed because of the Norfolk show”
One teacher from Lynn Grove in great Yarmouth reported that their school had been scheduled to open to their pupils but that it had been shut due to striking ATL and NUT staff. However most Norfolk schools had planned a training day well in advance of the decision to act, because of the Norfolk show.
Anti-Academy
The NUT has been involved in serious talks with the Government for months now, our negotiating team are taking it very seriously but alas the Government does not appear to be. They are not prepared to make any concessions at all. As part of the 2006 agreement we agreed to something called "cap and share" whereas we would pay more into the pension scheme if it was shown that the costs of the scheme were increasing.
At the moment the Government are refusing to carry out a full valuation of the TPS however the National Audit Office has confirmed what the Trade Unions have been saying, which is that the costs of the scheme are falling due to the changes made in 2006.
Campaigns
For information on the NUT campaigns, please go to the national website www.teachers.org.uk and search through the campaign tab
Fun at the Forum Well over 700 teachers, civil servants, lecturers, parents and children, gathered on a warm, cloudy afternoon to hear a magnificent line up of speakers. The main message was the fury and disappointment at the government for their attack on the pensions of teachers and civil servants; at a time of pay freezes, rising inflation and rising costs for food, petrol and energy prices, in addition to redundancies and cuts to front line services. However, the afternoon was not all doom and gloom, with the crowds being entertained by Street Theatre, music and face-painting to lift the mood.
The main speakers were Kendra Deacon of the NUT National Executive, Andrew McCandlish , County Secretary for ATL, Nick O’Brien from ‘Right to Work’, Julie Bremner of PCS, Mark Hughes of UCU and Alex Fitches a student from the UEA
Chrissie Smith, NUT Association Secretary for South Norfolk and Breckland commented that the day had been “A roaring success” and that it was “fantastic to see so many different Unions, and people of all ages, from all walks of life, coming together in Solidarity.
Overall the mood was extremely positive and united. The central message which was shared by all, was summed up by Bridget Sutton - a parent from Wymondham who said “Our teachers and Public Services Staff have worked hard and paid into their own pension funds, only to have the government pull the carpet out from beneath them with no way of making up the shortfall. It’s wrong and everyone should support this strike action”. She further added, “It is to the credit of Norfolk teachers that they have all turned out here today when schools were already closed because of the Norfolk show”
One teacher from Lynn Grove in great Yarmouth reported that their school had been scheduled to open to their pupils but that it had been shut due to striking ATL and NUT staff. However most Norfolk schools had planned a training day well in advance of the decision to act, because of the Norfolk show.
Anti-Academy
Well over 700 teachers, civil servants, lecturers, parents and children, gathered on a warm, cloudy afternoon to hear a magnificent line up of speakers. The main message was the fury and disappointment at the government for their attack on the pensions of teachers and civil servants; at a time of pay freezes, rising inflation and rising costs for food, petrol and energy prices, in addition to redundancies and cuts to front line services. However, the afternoon was not all doom and gloom, with the crowds being entertained by Street Theatre, music and face-painting to lift the mood.
The main speakers were Kendra Deacon of the NUT National Executive, Andrew McCandlish , County Secretary for ATL, Nick O’Brien from ‘Right to Work’, Julie Bremner of PCS, Mark Hughes of UCU and Alex Fitches a student from the UEA
Chrissie Smith, NUT Association Secretary for South Norfolk and Breckland commented that the day had been “A roaring success” and that it was “fantastic to see so many different Unions, and people of all ages, from all walks of life, coming together in Solidarity.
Overall the mood was extremely positive and united. The central message which was shared by all, was summed up by Bridget Sutton - a parent from Wymondham who said “Our teachers and Public Services Staff have worked hard and paid into their own pension funds, only to have the government pull the carpet out from beneath them with no way of making up the shortfall. It’s wrong and everyone should support this strike action”. She further added, “It is to the credit of Norfolk teachers that they have all turned out here today when schools were already closed because of the Norfolk show”
One teacher from Lynn Grove in great Yarmouth reported that their school had been scheduled to open to their pupils but that it had been shut due to striking ATL and NUT staff. However most Norfolk schools had planned a training day well in advance of the decision to act, because of the Norfolk show.
Anti-Academy
Anti-Academy
Potential Academies refuse to allow speakers against academies to address their parents
The academy scene in Norfolk continues to move on at a pace. There are now a number of High Schools looking at their options. However, all is not well in academy land. The expected funding from Government has not materialised. The number of students entering the academies is less than expected. One academy is already making colleagues redundant. The number of disciplinary and capability procedures against staff in the Academies is proportionally much higher than in the Local Authority schools. Interestingly both Wymondham High and Sheringham High who are looking at academy status have refused us permission to address parents meetings. I wonder what they are trying to hide!
It is not all gloom and doom for those of us concerned about the threat the academies programme makes towards good, local, comprehensive education. It does seem the message is starting to get through to more Governors and Heads. A number have made it clear they don’t believe the figures suggested by the Government hold water. They are realising that as the schools are responsible for such things as maternity and paternity leave; redundancy payments; early retirements etc. that they could end up with enormous bills that they won’t be able to pay. This is before we consider the cost of buying in services. The Government says that “becoming an academy should not bring about a financial advantage or disadvantage to a school”. The Government has said that the changes planned to academy funding will seek to ensure this.
Academies receive annual funding for their running costs based on the local authority funding formula for schools. They also receive an additional grant in respect of the LA’s spending on services to schools. Academies still need these services. They will not necessarily be better off, because these services may cost them as much or more, whether they buy them from the LA or elsewhere. Academies may not benefit from the economies of scale that the LA can offer. Academies are at the mercy of private companies, currently offering loss-leader prices which could rise significantly in the future.
There is a huge risk that the additional funding academies receive will not cover the extra costs of obtaining services currently provided by LAs. The current funding system for academies is also under review. Proposals to convert to academy status may be even more of a risk than their supporters understand.
The Government admits that its £25,000 grant to schools will not cover all the start-up costs - project management, consultancy, transitional staffing costs – and that schools will have to “devote some of their own resources” to becoming an academy. Some estimates show schools having to pay out up to £100,000 for these costs. We know that two academies in Norfolk, despite receiving much larger budgets than under the LA control are having to make staff redundant either this year of next, to balance their books. We suspect the same will be true in others.
So by the time the academy has paid the start up costs, bought in the services it needs; made up for the short fall, had colleagues on maternity leave and had to pay for redundancies due to falling rolls there will be little left for them to control!
Remember we will continue to support members in the academies and we hope the education of a generation of pupils doesn’t suffer too much in the name of Tory centralisation. However, we urge all members not yet in Academies to oppose any plans to convert. We are more than willing to come in and address meetings to put forward the views of the NUT and explain why we believe conversion to an Academy equates to giving up so much for a possible short term gain.
Mike Smith
Contact your MP
For information on your MP visit http://www.writetothem.com/ To find out more regarding surgery times please find your MP below.
Simon Wright MP
Norwich South
Liberal Democrat
Constituency Office:
9, Europa Way
NORWICH
NR1 2EN
Phone: 01603 627660
Fax: n/a
Email: info@simonwright.org.uk
Website: www.simonwright.org.uk
Contact Simon’s Constituency Office.
Friday 4th February - The Norfolk and Norwich Millenium Libary, The Forum, Millennium Plain, Norwich, NR2 1AW
Friday 11th February - Tuckswood Libary, Robin Hood Road, Norwich, NR4 6BX
Friday 18th February - St Matthew's Church, Telegraph Lane West, Thorpe Hamlet, Norwich, NR1 4JL
Friday 25th February - Eaton Park Community Centre, South Park Avenue, NR4 7AZ
Friday 4th March - Clover Hill Village Hall, Humbleyard, Clover Hill, Norwich, NR5 9BN
Friday 25th March - Tuckswood Libary, Robin Hood Road, Norwich, NR4 6BX
Friday 1st April - St Matthew's Church, Telegraph Lane West, Thorpe Hamlet, Norwich, NR1 4JL
Chloe Smith MP
Norwich North
Conservative
Constituency Office:
Phone: 01603 414756
Fax: n/a
Email: chloe@chloesmith.org.uk
Norwich Address:
Norwich North Conservatives
Office 1GF
Diamond House
Vulcan Road
Norwich
NR6 6AQ
Saturday 22nd January 2011, 10.00am - 12.00pm - Hellesdon Community Centre, Middleton's Lane
Friday 4th February 2011, 2.00pm - 4.00pm - Old Catton (Venue tbc)
Saturday 19th February 2011, 12.00pm - 1.30pm- Venue tbc
All the above surgery dates are by appointment only and all surgeries are subject to change.
Please call the constituency office on 01603 414 756 for the most up to date information and to book an appointment
Norman Lamb MP
North Norfolk
Liberal Democrat
Constituency Office:
Guyton House
5, Vicarage Street
North Walsham
Norfolk
NR28 9DQ
Phone: 01692 403752
Fax: 01692 500818
Email: normanlamb@hotmail.com
Surgery dates and times can be found here http://www.normanlamb.org.uk/en/event/month
Elizabeth Truss MP
South West Norfolk
Conservative
Constituency Office:
The Limes
32, Bridge Street
Thetford
Norfolk
IP24 3AG
Phone: 01842 757345
Fax: n/a
Email: elizabeth.truss.mp@parliament.uk
4th February (Downham Market) 4-6pm
25th March (Upwell) 6-7pm
If you would like to attend, please contact Fiona Walker on fiona.walker@parliament.uk or 01842 757345 to book an appointment.
Keith Simpson MP
Broadland
Constituency Address:
The Old Smithy
Church Farm
Attlebridge
Norwich
NR9 5ST
Phone: 01603 865763
Fax: 01603 865762
Email: mncanorfolk@btconnect.com
Conservative
Keith holds regular surgeries predominantly at Attlebridge but at regular intervals holds drop-in surgeries at various locations in the constituency.
George Freeman MP
Mid Norfolk
Conservative
Constituency Address:
MNCA
23, London Street
Swaffham
Norwich
PE32 7DD
Phone: 01760 721241
Fax: 01760 721587
Email: george@georgefreeman.co.uk
Dereham
18th February 2011
4-6pm
To book a 15 minute appointment please call Suzy on 01842 829 748 or email suzy@georgefreeman.co.uk
Brandon Lewis MP
Great Yarmouth
Conservative
Constituency Address:
Suite 20,
Great Yarmouth Business Park
Suffolk Road
Great Yarmouth
NR31 0ER
Phone: 01493 650505
Fax: n/a
Email: office@brandonlewis.org
20th November 2010, Caister Church Hall, Great Yarmouth, between 9:30am and 10:30am
26th November 2010, Winterton,between 9:30am and 10:30am
26th November 2010, Fastolff House, Regent Street, Great Yarmouth between 11am and 12pm
26th November 2010, Filby between 2pm and 3pm
26th November 2010, Hemsby between 5pm and 6pm
10th December 2010, Fastolff House, Great Yarmouth between 9am and 10am
22nd December 2010, Fastolf House, Great Yarmouth between 9am and 10am
18th February, 2011, Fastolff House, Great Yarmouth, between 10:00am and 11:00am
25th February, 2011, Magdalen Methodist Church, between 12:00pm and 1pm
Please contact the office on 01493 334 004 for more information or to book and appointment.
Richard Bacon MP
South Norfolk
Conservative
Constituency Address:
Grasmere,
Denmark Street
Diss
IP22 4LE
Phone: 01379 643728
Fax: 01379 642220
Email: richardbaconmp@parliament.uk
Henry Bellingham MP
North West
Norfolk
Conservative
Constituency Office:The Manor
St Andrew’s Lane
Congham
King’s Lynn
PE32 1DY
Phone: 01485 600559
Fax: 01485 600292
Email: bellinghamh@parliament.uk
To find out more regarding surgery times please find your MP below.
Simon Wright MP
Norwich South
Liberal Democrat
Constituency Office:
9, Europa Way
NORWICH
NR1 2EN
Phone: 01603 627660
Fax: n/a
Email: info@simonwright.org.uk
Website: www.simonwright.org.uk
Contact Simon’s Constituency Office.
Friday 4th February - The Norfolk and Norwich Millenium Libary, The Forum, Millennium Plain, Norwich, NR2 1AW
Friday 11th February - Tuckswood Libary, Robin Hood Road, Norwich, NR4 6BX
Friday 18th February - St Matthew's Church, Telegraph Lane West, Thorpe Hamlet, Norwich, NR1 4JL
Friday 25th February - Eaton Park Community Centre, South Park Avenue, NR4 7AZ
Friday 4th March - Clover Hill Village Hall, Humbleyard, Clover Hill, Norwich, NR5 9BN
Friday 25th March - Tuckswood Libary, Robin Hood Road, Norwich, NR4 6BX
Friday 1st April - St Matthew's Church, Telegraph Lane West, Thorpe Hamlet, Norwich, NR1 4JL
Chloe Smith MP
Norwich North
Conservative
Constituency Office:
Phone: 01603 414756
Fax: n/a
Email: chloe@chloesmith.org.uk
Norwich Address:
Norwich North Conservatives
Office 1GF
Diamond House
Vulcan Road
Norwich
NR6 6AQ
Saturday 22nd January 2011, 10.00am - 12.00pm - Hellesdon Community Centre, Middleton's Lane
Friday 4th February 2011, 2.00pm - 4.00pm - Old Catton (Venue tbc)
Saturday 19th February 2011, 12.00pm - 1.30pm- Venue tbc
All the above surgery dates are by appointment only and all surgeries are subject to change.
Please call the constituency office on 01603 414 756 for the most up to date information and to book an appointment
Norman Lamb MP
North Norfolk
Liberal Democrat
Constituency Office:
Guyton House
5, Vicarage Street
North Walsham
Norfolk
NR28 9DQ
Phone: 01692 403752
Fax: 01692 500818
Email: normanlamb@hotmail.com
Surgery dates and times can be found here http://www.normanlamb.org.uk/en/event/month
Elizabeth Truss MP
South West Norfolk
Conservative
Constituency Office:
The Limes
32, Bridge Street
Thetford
Norfolk
IP24 3AG
Phone: 01842 757345
Fax: n/a
Email: elizabeth.truss.mp@parliament.uk
4th February (Downham Market) 4-6pm
25th March (Upwell) 6-7pm
If you would like to attend, please contact Fiona Walker on fiona.walker@parliament.uk or 01842 757345 to book an appointment.
Keith Simpson MP
Broadland
Constituency Address:
The Old Smithy
Church Farm
Attlebridge
Norwich
NR9 5ST
Phone: 01603 865763
Fax: 01603 865762
Email: mncanorfolk@btconnect.com
Conservative
Keith holds regular surgeries predominantly at Attlebridge but at regular intervals holds drop-in surgeries at various locations in the constituency.
George Freeman MP
Mid Norfolk
Conservative
Constituency Address:
MNCA
23, London Street
Swaffham
Norwich
PE32 7DD
Phone: 01760 721241
Fax: 01760 721587
Email: george@georgefreeman.co.uk
Dereham
18th February 2011
4-6pm
To book a 15 minute appointment please call Suzy on 01842 829 748 or email suzy@georgefreeman.co.uk
Brandon Lewis MP
Great Yarmouth
Conservative
Constituency Address:
Suite 20,
Great Yarmouth Business Park
Suffolk Road
Great Yarmouth
NR31 0ER
Phone: 01493 650505
Fax: n/a
Email: office@brandonlewis.org
20th November 2010, Caister Church Hall, Great Yarmouth, between 9:30am and 10:30am
26th November 2010, Winterton,between 9:30am and 10:30am
26th November 2010, Fastolff House, Regent Street, Great Yarmouth between 11am and 12pm
26th November 2010, Filby between 2pm and 3pm
26th November 2010, Hemsby between 5pm and 6pm
10th December 2010, Fastolff House, Great Yarmouth between 9am and 10am
22nd December 2010, Fastolf House, Great Yarmouth between 9am and 10am
18th February, 2011, Fastolff House, Great Yarmouth, between 10:00am and 11:00am
25th February, 2011, Magdalen Methodist Church, between 12:00pm and 1pm
Please contact the office on 01493 334 004 for more information or to book and appointment.
Richard Bacon MP
South Norfolk
Conservative
Constituency Address:
Grasmere,
Denmark Street
Diss
IP22 4LE
Phone: 01379 643728
Fax: 01379 642220
Email: richardbaconmp@parliament.uk
Henry Bellingham MP
North West
Norfolk
Conservative
Constituency Office:The Manor
St Andrew’s Lane
Congham
King’s Lynn
PE32 1DY
Phone: 01485 600559
Fax: 01485 600292
Email: bellinghamh@parliament.uk
Norwich South
Liberal Democrat
9, Europa Way
NORWICH
NR1 2EN
Phone: 01603 627660
Fax: n/a
Email: info@simonwright.org.uk
Website: www.simonwright.org.uk
Norwich North
Conservative
Phone: 01603 414756
Fax: n/a
Email: chloe@chloesmith.org.uk
Norwich North Conservatives
Office 1GF
Diamond House
Vulcan Road
Norwich
NR6 6AQ
North Norfolk
Liberal Democrat
Guyton House
5, Vicarage Street
North Walsham
Norfolk
NR28 9DQ
Phone: 01692 403752
Fax: 01692 500818
Email: normanlamb@hotmail.com
South West Norfolk
Conservative
The Limes
32, Bridge Street
Thetford
Norfolk
IP24 3AG
Phone: 01842 757345
Fax: n/a
Email: elizabeth.truss.mp@parliament.uk
Broadland
The Old Smithy
Church Farm
Attlebridge
Norwich
NR9 5ST
Phone: 01603 865763
Fax: 01603 865762
Email: mncanorfolk@btconnect.com
Mid Norfolk
Conservative
MNCA
23, London Street
Swaffham
Norwich
PE32 7DD
Phone: 01760 721241
Fax: 01760 721587
Email: george@georgefreeman.co.uk
18th February 2011
4-6pm
To book a 15 minute appointment please call Suzy on 01842 829 748 or email suzy@georgefreeman.co.uk
Great Yarmouth
Conservative
Suite 20,
Great Yarmouth Business Park
Suffolk Road
Great Yarmouth
NR31 0ER
Phone: 01493 650505
Fax: n/a
Email: office@brandonlewis.org
26th November 2010, Fastolff House, Regent Street, Great Yarmouth between 11am and 12pm
26th November 2010, Filby between 2pm and 3pm
26th November 2010, Hemsby between 5pm and 6pm
South Norfolk
Conservative
Grasmere,
Denmark Street
Diss
IP22 4LE
Phone: 01379 643728
Fax: 01379 642220
Email: richardbaconmp@parliament.uk
North West
Norfolk
Conservative
St Andrew’s Lane
Congham
King’s Lynn
PE32 1DY
Phone: 01485 600559
Fax: 01485 600292
Email: bellinghamh@parliament.uk
