Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the effect of the proposed changes to the local government pension scheme on the pensions of long standing members of that scheme.

The proposals contained in the consultation document issued on 8 May, entitled "Changes to the local valuation cycle and management of employer risk", are intended to help funds to better manage employer risk and liabilities, and to ensure that employer contributions are set at an appropriate level. These objectives are consonant with the interests of all scheme members and would not affect the pension benefits which are due to existing members of the scheme

The consultation closed on 31 July and we have received a large number of responses, from the perspective of both scheme employers and scheme members. It is right that we take time to consider the representations made and a formal response will be issued in due course.