Author: Stirling Websites

Pensions Update May 2022

The UK government pushed for a reduction in the number of pension funds in England and Wales and instructed them to form larger and what are perceived as more sustainable funds.  At the same time, the Chancellor also suggested that pension funds should be investing heavily in Government Infrastructure projects. This interference in investment policy was rejected by both politicians and Pension Committees however, mergers still went ahead.

In Scotland, there was no such pressure.  The Scottish Government did however want Pension Funds to work closer and more collaboratively.  Falkirk and Lothian’s funds have worked closely throughout the years and indeed have a shared investment strategy and have even invested in the same projects. Additionally, in order to reduce costs, Falkirk has also utilised Lothian’s internal investment managers. 

This history of close collaboration and similar investment philosophy meant that exploring was the next logical step. Both funds have investigated the expected benefits, disadvantages, costs, and risks of a merger, and this review is now complete with favourable results.

Work to take this proposal forward will continue this year, subject to approval by both the City of Edinburgh and Falkirk Council, and regulatory approval in both Scotland and the UK. If approved, the merger is expected to take place in 2023.

More detail can be found in the Pension member’s merger and Q and A documents.

Pension merger questions and answers
Pension members merger info

Covid guidance update

A number of pieces of Covid guidance have been updated.  You can find links to the relevant documents below but key points are: 

  • The new ‘stay at home message’ replaces self-isolation for people who have symptoms or have tested positive for Covid-19. 
  • Testing for the general population has ended and with it all test sites.  However testing will remain available to certain groups to protect high risk settings, support clinical care and for surveillance purposes. These groups include health and social care workers and care at home workers.
  • All contact tracing has ended. 
  • The High Risk list – formerly known as the Shielding list – will end on the 31st May.  The Chief Medical Officer will write to everyone on this list to advise them of the change and sign-post them to ongoing support.

https://www.gov.scot/news/new-stay-at-home-guidance-published/

https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested/pages/changes-from-1-may-2022/

https://www.gov.scot/news/end-of-the-highest-risk-list/

https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-use-of-face-coverings-in-social-care-settings-including-adult-care-homes/

In terms of the 12 week protection period for Covid related illness – the previously agreed temporary amendment to the red book has now expired.  COSLA proposed reducing the protection period to 10 days – we, along with the other SJC trade unions, have argued that the protection period should remain at 12 weeks until at least the end of this school term.  COSLA have not agreed that.  We are aware that some local authorities are bringing in the 10 day period anyway, arguing that since the Teaching unions had signed up to that it would bring SJC into line with them.  We will continue to fight this but suspect they may impose it without our agreement.

Scottish young members survey

We want to hear more about our young members experiences at work and in UNISON. The below survey asks about mental health, the cost of living, and any involvement young members may have in UNISON. It takes about ten minutes to complete and the more responses we get the better picture we will have of what our young members are going through. 

The closing date is 15th May.

https://survey.alchemer.eu/s3/90395968/UNISON-young-members-survey-2021

It can also be shared via the Scottish young members Facebook page – www.facebook.com/ScottishYM