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6.1 Throughout the year Policy and Regulation Branch remained actively involved in the consideration of a broad range of developments in the wider pensions field. In addition, and of particular significance, was the preparation and making of regulations prescribing the pension and associated arrangements for Members of the Scottish Parliament. |
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Gavin Mowat, |
Occupational Pensions Policy
6.2 The Branch continued to contribute to the development of pensions policy on a range of issues, both in relation to particular public service schemes, and in the wider context. These included matters such as completion of the review of the money-purchase additional voluntary contribution facility for NHS scheme members, the Government's proposals for restructuring provision for income in retirement, and for the sharing of pension rights upon divorce.
Changes to Schemes
6.3 New and amended provisions were introduced for NHS employees, prescribing their money-purchase AVC scheme; consolidating the injury benefit arrangements; and modifying the main pension scheme to cater for the position of NHS staff participating in medical and dental services pilot projects, and in other minor respects. A number of amendments were made to the teachers' pension scheme, the most significant of which was the introduction, with effect from 1 April 1999, of automatic membership of the scheme for part-time teachers. Free-standing regulations to prescribe the arrangements for the management and investment of local government pension scheme funds were made, replacing provisions previously included within the main pension scheme.
Statutory Instruments
6.4 Nine statutory instruments, as listed in Annex D, were made during the year, implementing changes and introducing new provisions, which had been the subject of consultation with relevant interested parties.
Appeals
6.5 The Branch is also responsible for the consideration and determination of appeals to the Secretary of State, in relation to those schemes for which he has statutory responsibility, from members who dispute decisions taken by scheme administrators or employers. As Members' awareness of their rights to appeal improves, the number of cases is steadily rising, with an increase of close to 20% in the past year. Whilst this is a significant increase in the Branch's workload, at 50 the number of appeals received in 1998-99 still represents, however, an extremely small proportion of the total membership of the schemes concerned.
Work-Load
6.6 The resources of the Branch have again been fully stretched in the production and implementation of a substantial programme of subordinate legislation, including the production of new pension arrangements (albeit based on the Westminster model) for the Members of the Scottish Parliament. The Branch has continued to be actively involved, with other pensions-regulating Government Departments elsewhere in the UK, in the development of policy initiatives, both in relation to public service pension schemes and in the wider context. With the support and assistance of pensions administration staff both within the Agency and elsewhere, and with the invaluable help of The Scottish Office solicitors team, the staff of Policy and Regulation Branch have again successfully and effectively responded to the demands placed upon them.
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