Local Government Pensions Scheme in England and Wales - Scheme Improvements (Access and Protections)

Background  

19. Neither mayors nor councillors are eligible for the LGPS in England. This contrasts with all other countries of the UK, where councillors are eligible for the LGPS Scotland and LGPS NI, and councillors in Wales are eligible for membership of a modified version of the LGPS England & Wales. 

Summary of proposal

20. The government is progressing numerous policies with the aim of re-building and re-shaping local government. These range from local government reorganisation, to getting audit back on track, to reforming how we fund councils, to a new standards regime and to deeper devolution with more responsibility for mayors. Re-building local government requires the very best people working in local government.  

21. Under these planned changes to local government, more will be asked of mayors and councillors. Mayors will also in many parts of the country be taking on the role of Police and Crime Commissioner- a role that is eligible for access to the LGPS. The government view is that councillors and mayors offer a vital public service, and should receive appropriate renumeration and suffer no financial disadvantage for their service. 

Therefore, the government intends to re-instate access to the LGPS for councillors in England, and to offer access for mayors.   

22. The government views the proposal as key to enabling and encouraging talented people to come into public service. The government also believes it important to have a consistent position for locally elected representatives across the UK.