The meetings have concertrated on establishing options for providing better protection for existing scheme members and an improved LGPS for the fuutre.  UNISON have also looked in detail at the savings to be made from removing the 85 year rule and the 25% lump sum commutation.  As set out in the Joint Statement, UNISON actuary AON is also in the process of seeking to resolve outstanding differences over these issues with the government and LGPS fund actuaries.  UNISON are confident that sufficient funds are available to allow us to achieve our aims.

UNISON will give further updates as the talks progress and will be training activists and pension contacts in the LGPS so that they can help members understand any proposals coming out of the talks.

At the same time UNISON are keeping their legal options open by proceeding with a judical review against the Government.  We are arguing that the Deputy Prime Minister erred in law in saying European age discrimination legislation made it necessary to remove the 85 year rule and therefore also ruled our full protection as an alternative for existing LGPS members.  Our second argument is that the consultation on the draft Regulations was carried out on false premises because financial calculations of costs of protection and savings from the Government Actuaries Department just didn't add up.

The judicial review process first requires a High Court judge to give permission for the case to proceed.  This should happen in the next few weeks.  ig granted the case will then be heard by the High Court on the basis of written submissions.  If we win our case, the order removing the 85 year rule will be quashed.