JOINT STATEMENT ON THE DRAFT PROPOSALS TO AMEND THE LOCAL
GOVERNMENT PENSION SCHEME IN SCOTLAND [LGPS(S)] RELATING TO
THE RULE OF 85
- 1. We do not agree that the Rule of 85 is required to be
removed from the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) to
comply with EC age discrimination legislation.We jointly agree
that local government employees are being treated unfairly
in comparison with other public sector workers.
- We do welcome the opportunity to reach a separate Scottish
solution to offer protection to existing scheme members, as
the deficit position encountered by funds south of the border
is not replicated to the same extent in Scotland.
- We jointly agree that pensions are a fundamental part of
employees' pay, terms and conditions of employment and we
do not believe that it is acceptable to take separate approaches
to the differing public sector schemes even if only in terms
of implementing any new arrangements.
- We jointly have concerns regarding the legal requirement
to remove Regulation 24(4) and (6) from the LGPS.
- We jointly believe that the SPPA, COSLA and the trade unions
should work together to develop future pension arrangements
for Scottish local government which remain both financially
sustainable and a valued benefit to the workforce.
