The government has launched a consultation on four proposed changes to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) in England and Wales, sharing the draft regulation for the first two changes alongside this.

The consultation sets out proposals across four key policy areas: amending the normal minimum pension age to reflect legislative changes; simplifying the process for applications for directions; applying new Fair Deal protections to outsourced workers; and bringing pension fund access to mayors and councillors in England in line with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

This is intended to build on the previous consultation held by the government earlier this year, which outlined a number of proposals intended to improve fairness and address "key issues that have been neglected for too long".

The government has also published its draft set of regulations for the proposals on pension access for mayors and councillors, as well as the new Fair Deal, for industry comment and feedback.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government confirmed that, subject to consideration of responses, the government intends to proceed with statutory instruments to implement changes to the LGPS regulations.

Whilst draft regulations on LGPS access for mayors and councillors and the New Fair Deal have already been shared, draft regulations for the other two proposals – normal minimum pensions age and applications for directions – will be published for consultation later this year.

However, the government confirmed that it will also continue to work with the Scheme Advisory Board and others before laying a statutory instrument.

Commenting on the plans, Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness, Alison McGovern, said: "The government cares about making the LGPS work better for the people it serves. 

"Several of these proposals respond to a range of long-standing concerns raised by the sector, particularly in relation to Fair Deal, which has been an area of interest in the scheme since 2016. We have considered those previous calls for changes that have been sought over many years whilst preparing these current proposals.

"This consultation is our opportunity to hear from you about the government’s proposals to further improve and shape the LGPS in a way that works for those who serve our communities and the wider public sector. Together, we can draw on our experiences to strengthen the LGPS today and in the future. Your voices matter.

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