Greg's police pension campaign raised at Prime Ministers Questions

11.54.00pm GMT Wed 4th Nov 2009

Newcastle East Lib Dem spokesman Greg Stone's campaign on Northumbria police pensions has been raised in the highest political arena in the land by North East Lib Dem MP Sir Alan Beith.

Sir Alan raised the matter with Gordon Brown at today's Prime Ministers Questions, asking:

"Is the Prime Minister aware that several police authorities, including Northumbria, are using Home Office guidance as a basis for cutting the pensions of police officers who have been forced to retire when they have been seriously injured on duty? On the principle that we should stand by those who risk their lives and face serious injury protecting us, whether in the armed forces or in the police, will he take a personal interest in the matter and investigate it?"

The Prime Minister appeared to give an encouraging response, replying:

"I shall obviously look at the matter. When policemen or women retire, they receive their pension. I see no reason why their pension entitlement should be broken, if it is, indeed, an entitlement, and I shall look at what the right hon. Gentleman says."

Greg said "I have been supporting the Northumbria police pensioners affected by the changed pension rulings for several months and I was delighted Sir Alan Beith was called in today's PMQs to challenge the Prime Minister on the matter. The ball is now in Gordon Brown's court, and I very much hope he will take steps to restore this entitlement."

"I am in regular contact with the Northumbria Police Pensioners for Justice and I am aware that many are taking part in appeals against the police authority decisions at present. A recent tribunal case has also given encouragement that this unfair policy should be reviewed. The Lib Dems will be keeping up the pressure on this campaign."