Delegates backed a motion asking Prospect to defend civil service pensions and reject any more detrimental changes to the schemes.

Martin Pennycook (Defence Equipment and Support) led the call for the union to refuse to accept any more changes to the civil service pension schemes.

“Enough is enough. We don’t like negative changes that are imposed on us. Any changes must be discussed and negotiated.”

He pointed out that the most recent changes could have been much worse were it not for the positive engagement and bargaining skills of the union’s negotiating team.

Whatever lies ahead, Pennycook said the best way to protect pensions was to “help our negotiators by encouraging people to join so that we have a strong union”.

Prospect deputy general secretary Garry Graham agreed. Good communications and high membership density are key to the union being strong on the ground.

Cohabiting couples should have the same status as those who are married or in a civil partnership

Delegates agreed to remit a Defence Equipment and Support branch motion based on the Supreme Court ruling that cohabiting couples should have the same status as those married or in a civil partnership.

Garry Graham, speaking on behalf of the executive, said it supported the spirit of the motion, but that there were issues around its technical application.

Graham said the National Trade Union Committee, of which Prospect is a member, had been discussing the implications of the ruling with the Cabinet Office, which has accepted the Supreme Court’s judgment.

The Cabinet Office has said the rules of the Premium, Classic Plus, Nuvos and Alpha schemes would be amended to remove the requirement for a nomination form.

He pointed out that the Classic scheme does not provide pensions for partners.

However, Prospect’s advice is that people should complete a nomination form in order to provide clarity about their wishes.