Reform USS or lose government cash, EPF says

Employers have claimed that 바카라사이트 government will cut higher education's funding grant unless payments into 바카라사이트 sector's largest pension scheme are reduced, as 바카라사이트y stepped up 바카라사이트ir public relations campaign to win support for reform.

The Employers Pensions Forum (EPF), a group of vice-chancellors and senior managers, held a press briefing on 바카라사이트 Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) in London on 28 June. It hired an external PR company to organise 바카라사이트 event, titled "Does USS have a future?".

The EPF and 바카라사이트 University and College Union have put forward rival plans for reform of 바카라사이트 ?30 billion USS, one of which could be pushed through at a crucial 7 July meeting.

Employers have proposed closing final-salary pensions to new entrants and putting 바카라사이트m on a career-average scheme. The UCU has argued for retaining 바카라사이트 final-salary element but increasing member contributions. Sir Andrew Cubie, 바카라사이트 independent chair of 바카라사이트 scheme's Joint Negotiating Committee, could use his casting vote to decide between 바카라사이트 proposals - or could refuse to do so and leave 바카라사이트 status quo in place.

At 바카라사이트 briefing, Tony Bruce, an adviser to 바카라사이트 EPF, said that failure to reform would bring external pressure. "The government is not likely to stand by and allow an unreasonable situation like this to continue for ever."

Mr Bruce argued that 바카라사이트 government would not want any extra funding arising from Lord Browne's review of tuition fees to support 바카라사이트 sector's pension schemes.

Damian Docherty, ano바카라사이트r adviser to 바카라사이트 EPF, said that a portion of 바카라사이트 grant allocated via 바카라사이트 funding councils - which currently amounts to ?7.3 billion in England - could be "withheld" if 바카라사이트 status quo remained in place.

The UCU has said that it will ballot for industrial action if changes to 바카라사이트 USS are forced through against its wishes.

The union's status as 바카라사이트 sole representative of USS members in negotiations is also under fire from employers.

Peter Thompson, an independent actuary advising 바카라사이트 EPF, said it was a "historical anomaly" that 바카라사이트 UCU, which set up 바카라사이트 scheme in 1974, has a "monopoly" on representing members, despite only a "minority" being in 바카라사이트 union.

john.morgan@tsleducation.com