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David Cameron speech on public sector pensions reform; ENGLAND: London: LGA Conference: INT David Cameron MP (Prime Minister) along to podium David Cameron MP (Prime Minister) speech SOT - Its great to be back at the LGA conference And I want to congratulate Sir Merrick Cockell on his appointment as Chair of the Local Government Association. Today, I want to talk about the big issue of the week – the reform of public service pensions. But before I do that, let me say something about local government. I want it put on record: I think you are doing a brilliant job in challenging circumstances. I know it was a tough financial settlement. And I know you are all grappling with some really difficult decisions. When your budget is being cut, freezing council tax isn’t easy. But because of the action that’s been taken, by everyone in this room, a typical family in a Band D home will save up to £72 over the next year. You did that – and it’s something you should be proud of But there will be many more tough decisions in the weeks and months ahead. And my job is to make your job less difficult, not more. And I believe, as a government, we’re going some way to doing that. So much of that bureaucracy that drove you mad and cost you so much time and money in administration – it’s going. The Comprehensive Area Assessments, the Place Surveys and Local Area Agreements – we’ve got rid of them. Quangos like the Audit Commission and Standards Board – we’re scrapping them. And regional Spatial Strategies, Regional Fire Control Rooms, Government Offices for the Regions – they’re going too. We don’t need regional government. The public want – you want, I want – local government. What’s more, we’re also phasing out that ring-fencing that made you spend money with one hand behind your back. In every way we can, we’re rooting out the red tape and regulation and freeing your hands from the grip of central government cont...