§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the implementation of ECJ decisions concerning the eligibility of part-time public service employees to participate in their public service pension scheme. [53941]
§ Mr. Andrew SmithPublic service employers will implement in full the European Court of Justice ruling concerning the right of part-time public service employees to gain retrospective access to their pension scheme. All part-timers have had the right to join their occupational pension scheme since 1995, and in many public service schemes from an earlier date. The current ruling on the Preston case concerns the treatment of part-timers' service prior to 1995 (or the relevant date of full admission). The Employment Tribunals are currently considering a number of issues, which will determine the eligibility of part-timers and their entitlements under the ECJ ruling.