§ Mr. ToddTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what progress has been made on the reform of the Local Government Pension Scheme; and if he will make a statement. [159465]
§ Phil HopeA phased programme of regulatory and policy reform of the Local Government Pension Scheme was announced on 23 July 2003. This takes forward the Government's proposals on the future of occupational pension schemes set out in the White Paper "Simplicity security and choice (CMS835)" and some initial findings from the on-going Stocktake of the Scheme. Following consultation, new regulations will take effect on 1 April. These will be followed by a statutory consultation exercise on further scheme amendments, which in part deal with proposals to increase the normal retirement age. These amendments are intended to take effect from1446W April 2005. For the longer term, proposals to ensure the sustainability of the Scheme will be circulated to stakeholders in England and Wales later in the year.