PENSIONS EXPERT ROS ALTMANN, SAGA: REFORM COULD FINALLY START TO ADDRESS OUR PENSIONS CRISIS

ROS ALTMANN

DIRECTOR GENERAL

SAGA

PRESS RELEASE

October 25, 2010.

PENSIONS EXPERT ROS ALTMANN, SAGA: REFORM COULD FINALLY START TO ADDRESS OUR PENSIONS CRISIS.

Ros Altman, Director General of Saga, says the government is finally getting to grips with the inadequacies of the UK state pension system – and a “pensions revolution” may well be on the cards.

Before the General Election, Saga conducted a nationwide poll of the over-50s and drew up a list of the top six policy changes that older citizens want.  This Saga Manifesto called for “a flat-rate state pension for all citizens without means testing”. 

“It could be that we are one step closer to achieving that now,” said Ros Altmann..

“After years of watching our pension system falling apart, it seems that the new Pensions Minister, Steve Webb, may finally be getting to grips with the inadequacies of the UK state pension.  If today's reports are accurate, and they do seem mightily well-informed, a pension revolution is about to occur.

“For years, Government has tinkered with our current inadequate state pension system, adding to its complexity, while failing to address the fundamental problems associated with mass means-testing of pensioners.

“As the OECD recently pointed out, the UK has just about the lowest state pension in the developed world - and it is by far the most complex.  Most people have no idea what state pension they will be entitled to.

“This is because anyone retiring can receive many different elements of State Pension.  There is a Basic State Pension, a Second State Pension, plus some State Earnings Related Pension - or SERPS - plus the Graduated Pension.  All of these have different qualification criteria and come from contributions made in different years.  And if all these are not enough, nearly half of pensioners can claim a complex, means-tested Pension Credit, which consists of a Guarantee Credit and a Savings Credit.  What a mess.

“Before 1997, Gordon Brown told the Labour Party Conference that he wanted to end the means test for the elderly, but he actually increased means-testing dramatically.  While advising the Labour Government from 2000 - 2005, I kept highlighting the complexities of our pension system, also warning of the dangers and disincentives entailed in mass means testing.  I advised introducing a universal flat-rate pension.  But this was ignored.  In 2005, the Turner Commission again failed to grasp the opportunity for such radical reform.  So many missed opportunities.

“The fundamental problem is that our State Pension system undermines private pension saving.  If around half of pensioners end up entitled to means-tested benefits, their private pensions will be penalised and some may see their whole private pension effectively taken away.

“As we are about to launch a national system of auto-enrolment, and a new national pension scheme (called NEST) specifically targeted at low to moderate earners, we would be at risk of putting these workers into a pension which would ultimately be partly or totally removed from them by the means-test.  It is particularly those low to moderate earners who are most likely to lose out and they will be unable to save enough to float themselves off means-testing.  Therefore, in order to alleviate some of the problems of auto-enrolment and the official NEST pension system, it is really important that the Government sorts this out.

“The increase in State Pension Age, announced in the Comprehensive Spending Review, was supposed to be 'fair' because it was in exchange for a decent state pension.  However, the current proposals for slowly raising the Basic State Pension each year would not be sufficient to really pay a decent pension, whereas radically reforming the system, as suggested in today's papers, would be a far better deal, especially for women.

“If there was a flat-rate state pension, the Government would be able to end the current practice of allowing people to 'contract out' of the state second pension.  This could bring in an extra £8billion in National Insurance contributions each year - £5billion of which would come from public sector workers and employers.  This extra revenue would also save money in the longer term, because public sector pension schemes would not have to pay the replacement State Second Pension from scheme pension age, it would just be paid from state pension age.

“This could be the best news for pensions in years.”

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

im@pressrelations.co.uk

07788 978800

www.saga.co.uk

CONSTRUCTION: GOVERNMENT MUST DRIVE COST SAVING AND QUALITY TO DRIVE RECOVERY, SAYS MCBAINS COOPER CEO.

MCBAINS COOPER

PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY

PRESS RELEASE

October 25, 2010.

CONSTRUCTION: GOVERNMENT MUST DRIVE COST SAVING AND QUALITY TO DRIVE RECOVERY, SAYS MCBAINS COOPER CEO.

Watch video interview.

A senior figure in the property and construction professional consultancy sector is warning both the government and the building industry not to cut corners on quality as it battles to cut costs to the bone following the Comprehensive Spending Review.

Michael Thirkettle, Chief Executive of McBains Cooper, the international property and construction consultancy, says the government should be investigating, understanding and driving the proven-efficient inter-disciplinary approach to government-funded building projects to help match or even exceed its cash saving plans.

“The government is looking for savings everywhere, but while there are some very good top-line ideas, the key is to ensuring specialists – with specialist understanding – drill down and get to grips with where efficiencies can be driven without compromising quality,” said Michael Thirkettle.

“I believe many building and construction projects shelved by the government could be resurrected, with cost efficiencies identified, allowing those projects to be delivered to precisely the standard envisaged at brief stage, but to the same high quality.

“Where does the money come from? Through savings identified and driven in projects which have been given the green light, and where the inter-disciplinary approach can be applied equally effectively.

“While it is driving austerity measures following the CSR, the government should recognise the benefits to be gained by balancing cost-saving with maintenance of quality – and Ministers, even with a reduced level of investment in public sector building projects, can still influence that balance.

“The market needs and requires an inter-d approach to achieve cost savings and efficiencies, but also to maintain the quality of the product over the next three to five years.”

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.mcbainscooper.com

Notes.

McBains Cooper

McBains Cooper is an inter-discipline consultancy, specialising in property, infrastructure and construction, offering a wide range of consulting and design services including architectural, aesthetic or technical design, problem solving, budget management, facilities management, health and safety, sustainability consultancy and on-the-ground civil engineering. Driving and supporting projects ranging from minor works to major contracts worth more than £100 million, McBains Cooper operates across a variety of sectors throughout the UK, Europe and Latin America. McBains Cooper is committed to environmental, social and economic sustainable development and their integrated approach means they deliver effective, award-winning solutions to their clients. The Group employs 150 people. McBains Cooper has regional headquarters in London (head office), Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Oxford, Windsor, Lima (Peru) and Mexico City, with associate offices in Belfast and Dublin. www.mcbainscooper.com

FORTY SEVEN NEW VEHICLES FOR PATIENT TRANSPORT PROVIDER.

SAVOY VENTURES LTD.

NHS PATIENT TRANSPORT

PRESS RELEASE

October 21, 2010.

SAVOY VENTURES LTD. TAKES DELIVERY OF 47 NEW VEHICLES.

Savoy Ventures Limited, the NHS patient transport provider, has taken delivery of 47 new vehicles, bringing its Kent and South London-based fleet up to 152.

The new vehicles include ambulances equipped for high-dependency, specialist wheelchair, incubator, bariatric chair or stretcher transport, notes/X-ray transfer, and movement of tissue between hospitals.

The additions include 14 Fiat Scudo wheelchair accessible crossover vehicles, 15 Renault Masters and 15 Vauxhall Movano ambulances of various specifications.

“The new vehicles replace some of our older ambulances and specialist minibuses, but most are completely new additions enabling us to service new contracts,” said Ben Adams of Savoy Ventures Limited.

“The fleet is engaged in operating high-d-ependency services at Guys, Kings, St Thomas and Lewisham Hospitals, and both our ambulance and wheelchair-accessible vehicles have tracking technology allowing location detection and traffic congestion avoidance therefore minimising delays and patient inconvenience.

“We have our own vehicle maintenance facility, staffed by fully-qualified technicians, which allows constant rotation of vehicles. This facility works solely on Savoy vehicles which means we can sustain the maximum possible number of vehicles on the road at all times.

“We also operate an on-site deep-cleanse facility to support our ambulance fleet, this, of course, maintains health and safety and minimises the spread of infection.”

Savoy Ventures Limited is a private company providing patient transport and transfer services to NHS Trusts in the South East of England. Established in 2006, Savoy makes more than 200,000 patient transfer journeys a year. Savoy Ventures Limited is engaged by a number of NHS Trusts to carry out blue-light transfers, specialist wheelchair, incubator, bariatric chair or stretcher transport, notes/X-ray transfer, and movement of tissue between hospitals. Many staff are trained and qualified to Ambulance Technician level.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

im@pressrelations.co.uk

07788 978800

www.savoyventures.com

CANADIAN PASSPORT AMONGST FALSE IDs CONFISCATED BY CHORLEY PUB MANAGER.

THE GEORGE, CHORLEY

PRESS RELEASE

October 18, 2010.

CANADIAN PASSPORT AMONGST FALSE IDs CONFISCATED BY CHORLEY PUB MANAGER.

Video.

Photos.

A Chorley pub manager has confiscated fake and false identification documents as varied as a Canadian passport, out-of-date bank cards and driving licences “borrowed” from friends and family.

It’s all part of a robust door policy at The George in St Thomas’s Road, Chorley, where manager Paul Higgins operates one of the toughest zero-tolerance policies to under-aged drinking in the region, but which makes it one of the best bars around.

“Like most towns, Chorley does have an under-aged drinking problem, but we have a very strong door policy. If we think the ID is fake or false, then we confiscate it, and invite the real owner of the ID to come and collect it,” said Paul.

But at any one time Paul has up to 50 passports, driving licences, bank cards and other documents that attempted – and failed – under-aged drinkers have tried to palm off on him or his staff.

“We suspect that there’s a lot of friends and family of the failed attempted under-aged drinkers scratching their heads as to where their passports, bank cards and driving licences have disappeared to,” said bar owner Tony Callaghan of Wigan-based InnTheBar.

“The result is one of the best bars in the area – the music is fantastic, the atmosphere is second-to-none, and there’s no trouble from under-aged drinkers.

“The issue is what to do with the falsely-presented identification documents, some of which – particularly passports and driving licences – clearly have immense value and importance,” said Tony.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

http://innthebar.blogspot.com/

Former aide to British Deputy Prime Minister joins All About Brands Abu Dhabi team.

ALL ABOUT BRANDS PLC

PRESS RELEASE

October 16, 2010.

Former aide to British Deputy Prime Minister joins All About Brands Abu Dhabi team.

All About Brands Plc has appointed Paul Maloney, former aide to British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg MP, as a Senior Associate in its Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Strategy Team based in Abu Dhabi.

“As Abu Dhabi races towards it Vision 2030 policy agenda, the way in which Emirati businesses interact with their stakeholders and Governments both here and abroad becomes ever more important,” said Paul Maloney.

“AAB is perfectly placed to help and drive that interaction, with vast experience on both global and regional platforms and I’m delighted to be joining AAB Abu Dhabi with the potential of assisting. The group works with some of the most successful companies in the region at a time when other economies are retracting but the UAE’s remains robust.

“Managing these relationships and making things happen is one of the main challenges for myself and my colleagues at AAB.”

Paul Maloney, 27 years old, is a British national born in Essex, UK. He has a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Middle East Politics and International Relations and has a Masters in Middle East Studies from the University of Exeter.

He was the recipient of the Prince Al Waleed bin Talal Al Saud award for Middle East Studies from the University of Exeter this allowed him to study Arabic and the University of Damascus, Syria for several months.

Paul played a key role in the Liberal Democrats General Election Campaign team - responsible for the media events involving Nick Clegg. In addition to working for the Deputy Prime Minister – Paul was responsible for the campaign activities of Vince Cable MP, Secretary of State for Business, Chris Huhne MP, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change and Lord Paddy Ashdown former UN High Representative to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

All About Brands plc (AAB plc), the marketing services group chaired by Allan Biggar. AAB has businesses throughout the UK, and in North America, Europe and Abu Dhabi

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

+44 (0)7788 978800 im@pressrelations.co.uk www.aabplc.com

CONSTRUCTION: THE INTER-DISCIPLINARY APPROACH IS THE DISCIPLINE OF THE MOMENT

MCBAINS COOPER

PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY

PRESS RELEASE

October 14, 2010.

CONSTRUCTION: THE INTER-DISCIPLINARY APPROACH IS THE DISCIPLINE OF THE MOMENT.

Video: Watch interview.

Michael Thirkettle, Chief Executive of McBains Cooper, the international property and construction consultancy, says that now is the time for the property and construction sector to adopt the inter-disciplinary approach to project design and delivery.

Since developing and adopting “inter-d” over the past ten years, McBains Cooper has not only weathered the UK downturn, but has also seen considered growth and expansion abroad, with new operations in Greece and the USA, and expanded teams dealing with growth in Latin America.

“There are true efficiencies in time, cost and quality to be gained by adopting the inter-disciplinary approach, with seamless integrated teams working as one to achieve a collective excellence rather than the nightmare that can be multi-disciplinary in which, at best, projects can be slowed by different teams from different organisations working to different agendas pulling against each other, or, at worst, causing massive delay, design inefficiencies and substantial loss of cost management,” said Michael Thirkettle.

“The current environment is demanding efficiency, to deliver improved quality and cost savings, and that efficiency and quality can be delivered through the inter-disciplinary approach, creating the cost savings clients desire.

“The added value is the behavioural and cultural side, so what you don’t end up with is a very litigious project where people are spending time covering their back as a product of the multi-disciplinary approach, as opposed to focusing time into the project. And at the end of the project you don’t end up with a huge claim against a myriad of parties, because, in the current economic climate, the construction industry is very much going towards that.”

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.mcbainscooper.com

Notes.

McBains Cooper.

McBains Cooper is an international inter-disciplinary property and construction consultancy, one of the most successful in its sector.

Driving and supporting projects ranging from minor works to major contracts worth more than £100 million, McBains Cooper operates across a variety of sectors throughout the UK, Europe and Latin America.

McBains Cooper is committed to environmental, social and economic sustainable development, and its integrated approach means it can deliver effective, award-winning solutions to its clients.

The business is involved in professional consultancy in property, infrastructure and construction, offering a wide range of consulting and design services including architectural, aesthetic or technical design, problem solving, budget management, facilities management, health and safety, sustainability consultancy and on-the-ground civil engineering.

The group employs 150 people. McBains Cooper has regional headquarters in London (head office), Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Oxford, Windsor, Athens (Greece,) Lima (Peru), and Monterrey (Mexico), Mexico City and Miami, with associate offices in Belfast and Dublin. www.mcbainscooper.com

ASTRAEUS WET LEASES THREE BOEING 757s TO SAUDI ARABIAN AIRLINES.

ASTRAEUS AIRLINES

COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT SOURCING AND MANAGEMENT

PRESS RELEASE

October 05, 2010.

ASTRAEUS WET LEASES THREE BOEING 757s TO SAUDI ARABIAN AIRLINES.

Gatwick-based Astraeus is to wet lease three Boeing 757-200s to Saudi Arabian Airlines.

The aircraft will commence operations for Saudi in October 2010, and will be retained until the end of December 2010, primarily to support massive demand for seats during the Hajj, the world’s biggest pilgrimage.

The wet lease arrangement means that Astraeus will provide crew and full management of the aircraft, which will be based in Jeddah.

“This is the second Hajj contract with Saudi Arabian Airlines, and a fantastic endorsement of our ability: the Hajj is a hugely important religious event, and as such it is a contract we need to deliver with the utmost sensitivity and respect for the occasion,” said Shaun Monnery of Astraeus.

“The expertise and experience of the Astraeus team along with the reputation we have established in supporting a number of airlines around the world was clearly a strong influence in our retention of this contract.”

The entire fleet – bar one ad hoc aircraft - is committed on dry, damp or wet lease to airlines around the world, and is sourcing more to address further opportunities.

Astraeus Airlines commenced operations in 2002, employs 250 people and operates a fleet of eleven Boeing 737 and 757 aircraft and one Airbus A320, primarily on contract with a number of airlines, including ACMI. Astraeus has a worldwide Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) and is IOSA accredited. Astraeus is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eignarhaldsfelagid Fengur HF which also owns Iceland Express.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

+44 (0)7788 978800 / im@pressrelations.co.uk / www.flystar.com

Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pressrelations/sets/72157624092438508/

Videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/ThisisPressRelations?feature=mhum#p/c/4AE94CF3F7F76420/10/36kx9sXm2l0