The Rt Hon Danny Alexander MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury
HM Treasury
1 Horseguards Road
London
SW1A 2HQ

04 November 2011

Dear Danny,

Pensions Petition

I enclose 516 signatures from concerned constituent teachers over the proposed changes to public sector pensions. They call on the Government to "withdraw its proposals, conduct a valuation, and negotiate in good faith".
My constituents' views are very important to me, and I share their concerns over the proposed changes to public sector pensions. Teachers are the backbone of our education system yet the proposed changes threaten to damage staff morale, as well as recruitment and retention opportunities within the profession.
Whilst I appreciate that the Government this week announced changes to its public sector pension reforms, many of my constituents remain highly critical of the Coalition's pension plans. In particular they point to the lack of movement on the 50% contribution rate, which they believe is one of the key problems with the original proposals. They also note that the concession made to older teachers is a purely temporary measure. The Government's revised proposals do nothing to help the majority of teachers who are under 50 and have most to lose from these so called reforms.
Please look again at this and help me reassure my constituents that teachers will not have to unfairly bear the costs of an economic crisis that they did not create.
Yours sincerely,

Caroline Lucas, MP, Brighton Pavilion