As well as implementing the punitive and unfair £95,000 cap on all public sector exit payments, the Government has also launched a separate consultation on reforming exit payments in local government. This consultation, launched by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), seeks to keep Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) rules in line with the new cap, and also introduces broader changes to exit payments in local government.
These changes are also punitive and unfair on our members and would have an impact on low and medium paid local government workers as well as the higher paid.
UNISON will be responding to the Government consultation, but before that, it is vital that we demand an extension to the consultation. It was launched in September, but the draft regulations were not published until mid-October. It is unacceptable to set a deadline of 9 November for such a crucial consultation.
A model letter to Robert Jenrick, the Secretary of State at MHCLG, is below. It makes clear our opposition to the proposals, and demands an extension to the consultation period. Please see the model letter below which can be emailed to robert.jenrick@communities.gov.uk.
