Insight

Public Sector Pension Reform Report

Public Sector Pension Reform Report

Almost half of UK adults (49 per cent) support the proposal to raise the retirement age for public sector workers to the current state pension age, with over a third (36 per cent) opposing this measure. Looking at the public and private sectors, 58 per cent of private sector workers support the plans to raise the retirement age for public sector workers, whilst, unsurprisingly, under a third (29 per cent) of public sector workers support it.

Following the publication of Lord Hutton’s report, leading unions including Unison threatened strike action in response to the recommendations. Currently it does not appear the majority of the British public would support these strikes, with 35% in support compared to 45% in opposition.

Whilst public support overall for the strikes may be lacking, amongst public sector workers there appears to be a strong well of support for strike action with 56% of supporting the strikes and only 25% opposing strike action. Over a quarter (26 per cent) of public sector workers indicate they would strongly support any plans to strike.

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Opinium Research carried out an online survey of 2,033 UK adults aged 18+ from 10th to 11th of March 2011. Results have been weighted to nationally representative criteria.