Radical Idea

I had a radical idea the other day.

I was reflecting on the huge numbers of senior officials - from local Councils, the NHS, the BBC - who retire early on big tax free lump sums and very generous pensions.

Only to come back through a 'revolving door' as they enter the workforce again - in a different but often similar kind of job.

Now I've nothing folks who retire early - especially those who are supposedly 'burnt out' and who can't go on - because they've done their stint and have had enough of the world of work .

Though you would have to be daft not to notice that it's almost always the most senior and highly paid staff who benefit from these generous early release schemes - which then result in a big (taxpayer funded) boost to their pensions.

But my point is ithat f they've retired early, then why are such people they allowed to re-enter the workforce again - in any capacity?

To my mind this practice should be stopped - because it strikes me as those at the top having their cake and eating it at the same time.

So as a way of ensuring that public money is spent efficiently, wisely - and on the purpose for which it is intended - my idea is that once an employee leaves a publicly funded job then the the party's over - for good.

No more revolving doors or coming back in a slighlty different capacity - or dressed up in different clothes - as an independent contractor, for example.

If someone wants to leave and access their public pension, then fair enough - let them go.

But they should not be allowed to benefit from public sector money again - in any capacity because they've had a very good innings, at public expense - and no one is forcing them out the door.

Now far as I can see this would be very fair and maximise employment opportunities - by making sure that people could not effectively be retired early from one job - while being paid to do another.

Voluntary work wouldn't be excluded - of course.

But then I'm sure that most of the people I have in mind - would never contemplate doing unpaid voluntary work in the first place.