Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Bill completes passage through Parliament

The  Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Bill aims to address discrimination in public service pension schemes and ensure access to high quality defined benefit schemes on a fair and equal basis.

Consideration of amendments

The bill was considered by the House of Lords between 7 September and 6 December 2021, before passing to the House of Commons.

Members of the Lords considered Commons changes  (amendments) to the Bill. 

The amendments covered subjects relating to public service pensions including: 

• power to pay final salary benefits
• pension credits
• compensation pay
• employer cost caps
• pension schemes for members of the Senedd.

Commons changes were agreed to and members also discussed progress of the Bill through the Lords.  

Catch up

• Read the text of proposed changes (PDF)
• Catch up on Parliament TV
• Read the Lords Hansard transcript.

Explore further information

Read background on the bill in the Lords Library Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Bill briefing.

What's happened so far?

Third reading: Monday 6 December

Final checks 

Third reading is the chance for members to ‘tidy up' a bill, making any small changes to ensure it is effective. 

No changes to the wording of the bill were put forward ahead of third reading. Members discussed the progress of the bill through the House at the conclusion of Lords stages.  

Catch up on Parliament TV or read the transcript in Lords Hansard.

Report stage: Monday 29 November

Proposed changes 

Members put forward changes (PDF) (amendments) to consider at report stage, in relation to: 

• firefighter and Armed Forces pensions
• the future sustainability and affordability of public service pensions
• reducing the judicial retirement age.

There was also one division (vote) on a proposed change to the bill.

Judicial retirement

The vote was on amendment 126, which sought to set the judicial retirement age at 72.

Members voted 147 in favour and 211 against, so the change was not made

Catch up on Parliament TV or read the Lords Hansard transcript.

Committee stage: Monday 11 October

Committee stage is the first chance to check the bill in detail and make changes.

Proposed changes 

Members put forward changes (PDF) (amendments) to the bill to be discussed at committee stage.

Members speaking discussed changes on a wide range of subjects. For example pension scheme regulations and voluntary contributions.

Find out about all the issues members discussed: catch up on Parliament TV or read a the Lords Hansard transcript.

What's happened so far

Second reading: Tuesday 7 September

Members discussed key areas of the bill during the second reading, including rising longevity of the population and increasing the pension age, differential treatment of judges and the Cost Control Mechanism. 

Find out more about the issues discussed. Catch up on Parliament TV. A transcript of the debate is available in House of Lords Hansard.

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