§ Mr. Simon CoombsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will finalise the measures to compensate staff who suffer a drop in remuneration as a result of local government reorganisation. [42246]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordI am today laying before the House regulations which will give effect to a scheme for detriment compensation. The regulations are being made following two separate consultation exercises, which generated helpful comments. The scheme provides for compensation staff in England and Wales who suffer a drop in remuneration as a result of local government reorganisation. Such staff will, provided they meet certain criteria, receive compensation equal to three times the drop in remuneration, payable over 36 months. This will provide transitional relief to staff if they work in an authority directly affected by reorganisation and suffer a drop in salary during the prescribed period. By avoiding the need for redundancy payments and encouraging councils to retain existing employees in new jobs, the scheme should benefit staff, employers and the taxpayer.