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UNISON has lodged a request for a judicial review of the government's decision to change the local government pension scheme, while making some progress in talks.
UNISON is arguing that the Deputy Prime Minister erred in law saying European age discrimination legislation made it necessary to remove the 85-year and ruled out full protection for existing scheme members.
We are also arguing that the consultation on draft regulations changing the scheme was carried out on false premises because financial calculations on the cost of protection and on expected savings from the government actuaries just didn't add up.
The case should be heard in the High Court in the next two months.
UNISON has also been pursuing talks with the local government employers and the government. We have looked at options for better protection for existing scheme members and for an improved LGPS for the future.
The latest meeting on 17th May saw progress in resolving outstanding differences over these issues with the government and LGPS fund actuaries.
Meanwhile the government has said it is "minded" to consult relevant bodies on some improved protection arrangements which would;
- Delay removing the 85 year rule untill 2008 instead of 2006.
- Extend transitional protection from 2013 until 2016 giving full protection for anyone who was 60 or over by 31 March 2016 tapering protection to 2020 to tie in with the incease in the state retirement age for women to 65.
The employers are going along with this and a trade union side meeting on 11th May agreed not to oppose the consultation which represents a marginal improvement on the previous position while continuing to argue for full protection and improvements to the scheme for current and future members.
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