§ Mr. BurdenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received in respect of the application of the Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment etc.) Regulations to staff affected by the termination by water companies of Sewerage Agency arrangements; and what response he will make. [113344]
§ Ms ArmstrongThe Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment etc.) Regulations 1999 are intended to provide private sector employers, bidding for Local454W Authority contracts under Best Value, with an option of access to the Local Government Pension Scheme so that transferring employees can retain their membership of that scheme while they are engaged delivering outsourced local authority services. I have so far received some 24 representations about the future pension status of employees in local authorities who work on the delivery of privatised water company services through agency agreements established under the terms of the relevant Water Acts. The scale of these agreements, and the alternative pension arrangements available to those employed under them, are being established with the co-operation of the United Kingdom Steering Committee on local government pensions. In the light of that exercise, I will consider carefully the appropriate next steps.