JOINT STATEMENT ON THE DRAFT PROPOSALS TO AMEND THE LOCAL
GOVERNMENT PENSION SCHEME IN SCOTLAND [LGPS(S)] RELATING TO THE
RULE OF 85
- 1. We do not agree that the Rule of 85 is required to be removed
from the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) to comply with
EC age discrimination legislation.We jointly agree that local
government employees are being treated unfairly in comparison
with other public sector workers.
- We do welcome the opportunity to reach a separate Scottish
solution to offer protection to existing scheme members, as
the deficit position encountered by funds south of the border
is not replicated to the same extent in Scotland.
- We jointly agree that pensions are a fundamental part of employees'
pay, terms and conditions of employment and we do not believe
that it is acceptable to take separate approaches to the differing
public sector schemes even if only in terms of implementing
any new arrangements.
- We jointly have concerns regarding the legal requirement to
remove Regulation 24(4) and (6) from the LGPS.
- We jointly believe that the SPPA, COSLA and the trade unions
should work together to develop future pension arrangements
for Scottish local government which remain both financially
sustainable and a valued benefit to the workforce.
Scotland's
public service union 
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