Survation pension reform 2011 survey for Unite
21 November 2011
Survation interviewed 1058 voters via telephone over the age of
18 between the 2nd and 9th of November on the topic of pensions,
pension affordability and trust. Interviewees were selected at
random drawing from the entire BT database of domestic phone
numbers. Data were weighted by gender, age, socio-economic group,
region, and for voting intention past voting behaviour and
likelihood to vote. Data were analysed and weighted by Mark
Lovelace and presented by Tom Harris of Survation. Full data tables
will be available at www.survation.com
Survation are a member of The British Polling Council and abide
by its rules: http://www.britishpollingcouncil.org
Survation Ltd Registered in England & Wales Number
07143509
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Unite general secretary, Len McCluskey said: "This survey cuts
through the spin and explodes the myths being peddled by the
coalition government about public sector pensions. Virtually nobody
thinks public sector pensions are 'gold-plated' and the government
are thoroughly distrusted on this issue. When the British people
get the facts, rather than misinformation and propaganda, they are
on the side of public sector workers. We are winning the argument
by telling the truth while the government tries to pull the wool
over the public's eyes. The government's plans to slash public
sector pensions are not what the people of this country want for
the women and men who care for our sick, teach our children and
keep our streets safe. "It is time for Francis Maude and Danny
Alexander to negotiate a just and fair settlement with the unions
on pensions."
Damian Lyons Lowe, Chief Executive of Survation said; “The
slogan “We Are The 99%” has become a rallying cry for many
disparate groups angry at Governments across the world. In this
survey, an incredible 99% of the 1058 voters we questioned do not
fully trust the Government when it comes to the issue of pension
affordability. This survey has uncovered a highly sceptical UK
workforce feeling either worried, angry or helpless about potential
negative pension changes and feel that perceived well off citizens
are not pulling their weight in these difficult economic times”
Key Points
1) 66% of people that expressed a view considered a Pension to
be the most important benefit an employer can offer (excluding
“don’t knows”).
2) 34% of the workforce is not currently saving for their
retirement. 56% of those who are not saving said they are not
currently doing so because they “cannot afford to save for my
pension at the moment”.
3) Trade Unions are the most trusted body when it comes to
providing accurate information on the affordability of public
sector pensions* 33% of the public trust them with a positive score
(4 or 5) when asked how much they trusted various bodies on a scale
of 1-5, with 5 being a lot and 1 not at all.
The positive scores (4 or 5) for the other bodies tested
were:
Think Tanks: 19% / Newspapers / TV: 13% / Business Leaders: 13% /
The Government: 9% Politicians: 5% *Excluding don’t knows
4) On this measure Trade unions are 7 times more trusted than
politicians when it comes to providing accurate information on the
affordability of public sector pensions, and 3.5x more than the
Government in general.
5) 99% of respondents do not fully trust the Government (rate
them a 5 out of 5 on trust) when it comes to “providing accurate
information on the affordability of public sector pensions”. In
addition, 99% of those who voted Conservative also do not fully
trust the Government (rate them a 5 out of 5 on trust) when it
comes to providing accurate information on the affordability of
public sector pensions – public views on pensions are less of a
party political issue than one might think.
6) The public believe that Politicians and CEOs are not pulling
their weight when it comes to making sacrifices in these difficult
economic times. 85% believe MPs are not doing enough; 86% Cabinet
Ministers and 86% Chief Executives.
7) In contrast, the public believe Nurses, Teachers and Refuse
Collectors are already doing enough. Only 9% think Nurses are not
doing enough; Teachers 17%, Refuse Collectors 17%.
8) When asked “If those in charge of your pension scheme moved
to increase the contributions you made to your pension scheme
whilst also lowering the amount you would be paid on retirement
would you..”. Of those that expressed a view (excluding “don’t
knows”), 71% of those polled would take some sort of action in
response to the above question. 40% of those that would take some
sort of action would opt for lawful industrial action. 5% of people
believe legal action is the right response to those in charge of a
pension scheme changing the terms of the agreement and 46% would
want to leave the scheme altogether.
9) When asked what they felt a reasonable pension income for an
employee who had worked for 25 years with a final salary of
£25,000, 71% of people thought the figure should be between £10k
and 20k a year. Under the current public sector schemes such a
person would receive a pension of approximately £10,000 a year.
10) Some in the media warn that “Taxpayers cannot afford to fund
the latest gold-plated pension deal for public sector workers”
however, only 8% of those questioned would describe a £6,000 a year
pension as ‘gold-plated’- which is the average public sector
pension.
11) 74% of people felt that the proposed changes to public
sector pensions will make the current issue of pensioner poverty
worse than it currently is. Only 5% thought it would improve
matters.
For further press information please contact:
Ciaran Naidoo at Unite on 07768 931 315
Tom Harris at Survation on 0207 490 4094
Survation are a member of The British Polling Council and abide
by its rules
http://www.britishpollingcouncil.org
Registered in England & Wales Number 07143509
