England

Government urged to rethink forces pensions

Five former Chiefs of the Defence Staff have handed in a letter to 10 Downing Street, urging the government to rethink the changes made to forces pensions.

The letter, which was composed by The Forces Pension Society, has also been signed by former war correspondents Kate Adie and Martin Bell. It asked the government to reverse a move that has reduced the rate at which military pensions increase each year.

The annual increase for pensions had been set at 4.6 per cent per year, but earlier this year the government cut this increase down to 3.1 per cent per year, a reduction of around 30 per cent.

The Forces Pension Society argue that members of the forces have been unfairly disadvantaged by this move, because military pensions are normally paid out at a younger age.

Earlier this month, the Chairman of the Society - Vice Admiral Michael Moore wrote to The Times newspaper that the military should be seen as a special case and should not be subjected to pension cuts.

Picture: Sgt Rupert Frere RLC