Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how his Department defines whether a pension scheme is (a) private and (b) public in calculating benefits eligibility.

Occupational, personal and public service pension schemes are defined in section 1 of the Pension Schemes Act 1993.

A public service pension scheme is an occupational pension scheme established by or under an enactment, the Royal prerogative or a Royal charter, unlike other occupational pension schemes which are set up under trust.

Pension and tax laws may prescribe certain minimum or maximum requirements regarding the benefits that a pension scheme may provide. Beyond that, the type, level and eligibility criteria for benefits due under the scheme are a matter for the sponsoring employer. Details will be contained in the scheme rules or, in the case of public service schemes, the relevant legislation.