|
You will have all heard much in the news about progress in the talks over the LGPS scheme, which is the pension scheme for the majority of workers in Local Government, Higher Education, Police and some contracted out services Full details of these have now been published in the attached document. It is really important to be clear on what has and what hasn't been agreed. No new scheme has been proposed. No new scheme has been agreed. A framework has been produced which sets out: 1. The principles in which further negotiations would take place 2. The timescale for those negotiations. The principles are contained in the attached document, but the highlights are as follows: The current consultation on changes to the LGPS wiould be dropped A new design scheme would be introduced in 2014, superceding the previous plan to look again at the scheme in 2015 The design of that scheme would be based on a career average which can include zero increase in contributions for the majority of all staff Flexible retirement age of 55-75, with acturial adjustments made by link to State Retirement Age Admitted Body Status to be continued Equality Impact Assessment at each stage Do you agree to negotiations proceeding on the basis outlined (NB This does not rule out industrial action if talks break down in future, or unacceptable proposals are made. The ballot for strke action remains live following the action taken on November 30th) OR Do you reject the proposals for negotiations on this basis and are committed to delivering more prolonged and sustained strike action in the employers covered by the branch Local government pensions joint union statement
Local government unions have issued a joint statement on discussions on a new set of principles and timetable for detailed negotiations on pensions.
Any outcomes will need to be ratified by the Secretary of State, but if agreed, the unions believe they "lay a positive framework" for full negotiations to start in January. The statement stresses that no decisions have been taken over details surrounding contribution increases or the future look of the local government pension scheme. Further details will be announced as soon as they are available. See the full joint union statement here http://www.unison.org.uk/acrobat/C7500.pdf |
Pensions News
