The draft text for the proposed change to remove the discretionary aspect of pre-97 service increases has reportedly been finalised although I haven’t seen it yet. It is understood that it is going to be effective as of the date of implementation rather than retrospective back to 1997 which is annoying at least one alliance member.

However, the general feeling is that if it were to be fully retrospective it would have no chance at all of being accepted for discussion.

The change is being managed by Dame Nia Griffith- Labour Member of Parliament for Llanelli since 2005 – who has been an active supporter for changes to improve the lot of pre-97 pensioners.