UNISON has voiced its concern over the government’s delay in introducing agreed protections to the local government pension scheme (LGPS).
The transitional protection regulations for England and Wales have yet to become law, despite there being less than a month before regulations come into force that will change the LGPS.
Without those protections, the scheme will not be able to function after 1 April.
UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis has written to Brandon Lewis, the parliamentary undersecretary for local government and communities, who is responsible for signing the regulations.
“A number of scheme members are now so anxious at the apparent delay in bringing in the agreed protections, that they are threatening to leave the scheme,” Mr Prentis writes.
The union understands that there has yet to be a decision on whether councillors will be able to join the LGPS after 1 April. But Mr Prentis says that this has no bearing on the agreed protections.
And he adds: “I look forward to receiving your assurance that the transitional regulations will become law without further delay, to allow the scheme to function and uncertainty to end.”
The union has recommended that its regional heads of pensions send similar letters to their MPs, urging immediate action.
UNISON Knowledge: Local Government Pension Scheme (member only content)
