COMMONWEALTH WAR GRAVES COMMISSION

That this House welcomes the dedication and commitment of staff working at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), and applauds the vital role they play in maintaining the dignity of the UK and Commonwealth war dead, particularly in the midst of the centenary celebrations of 2014 to 2018; is astonished by the decision of CWGC management to close the final salary pension scheme and move to a defined contribution scheme which will see some staff lose on average £6,000 year on year; commends the work of trades unions during the short consultation period who recommended several pension options to ensure their members working at the GWGC had safety in retirement, all of which were rejected by the management; is appalled that in the months before the planned scheme closure was announced, commission executives left the scheme with compensation of a 7.5 per cent increase as well as lump sums of £4,000 to £10,000; notes that the new Director General of the Commission has awarded herself a 50 per cent pay rise at a time when staff at the commission are facing cuts to their pensions of up to £120 per week; and therefore calls on the Government to intervene and permit CWGC staff to transfer to the ALPHA scheme, which other civil servants are part of, to ensure their financial safety in retirement.