§ Harry CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 24 October 2001,Official Report, column 228W, on best value, how many building direct labour organisations transferred to the private sector have been given admitted-body status to the local government pension scheme; and what pension provision will be made for those which will not remain in the LGPS. [13811]
§ Dr. WhiteheadInformation about the transfer of building direct labour organisations (DLOs) to the private sector is not held centrally. When a local authority function is outsourced and the new contractor chooses not to seek admitted-body status within the local government pension scheme, transferred employees should be offered broadly comparable pension arrangements.
§ Mr. FlightTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to reform local government final salary pension schemes. [14696]
§ Dr. WhiteheadThere are no plans to change the current benefit package provided by the local government pension scheme.
§ Mr. FlightTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what was the total cost of local government final salary pensions in the last financial year. [14697]
Dr. Whitehead: In 2000–01, pensions paid to members of the local government pension scheme totalled £3.5 billion.