Second reading of Public Service Pensions Bill: have your say
30 October 2012 (updated on 30 October 2012)
Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, introduced the second reading of the Public Service Pensions Bill in the House of Commons on Monday 29 October
The Bill passed with a division (Ayes 276; Noes 19). The Bill will now be considered by a Public Bill Committee. Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Rachel Reeves, responded on behalf of the Opposition.
Watch and read the second reading debate and the views expressed by MPs on Parliament TV and in Commons Hansard.
- Parliament TV: Second reading of Public Service Pensions Bill
- Commons Hansard: Second reading of Public Service Pensions Bill
Have your say
The Bill has now been sent to a Public Bill Committee for scrutiny and there is a call for written evidence.
Do you have relevant expertise and experience or a special interest in the Government's Public Service Pension Bill? If so, you can submit your views in writing to the House of Commons Public Bill Committee which is going to consider this Bill.
Guidance for submitting written evidence
Deadline for submissions
The Committee is able to receive written evidence from Monday 29 October, when the Bill passed the Second Reading Stage; and will stop receiving written evidence at the end of the Committee stage on Thursday 22 November. The sooner you send in your submission, the more time the Committee will have to take it into consideration. The Public Bill Committee is expected to meet for the first time on Tuesday 6 November.
Summary of the Bill
The Public Service Pensions Bill would establish a framework enabling the Government to introduce new public service pension schemes. In line with the recommendations of the Independent Public Service Pensions Commission, the new schemes would provide pension benefits based on career average rather than final salary and individuals would have a normal pension age linked to their State Pension age (except for the schemes for the firefighters, police and armed forces, which would have a normal pension age of 60).
Except where transitional protection has been agreed for those closest to retirement, the existing schemes would close for future accrual by April 2015 (2014 for the local government schemes in England, Wales and Northern Ireland).
Keep up to date with all the proceedings and documentation on the Public Service Pensions Bill and find out how a Bill becomes an Act of Parliament
House of Commons Library analysis
The House of Commons Library produce briefing papers to inform MPs of key issues. The Library published a briefing paper for second reading.
Second reading
Second reading is the first opportunity for MPs to debate the main principles of the Bill. It usually takes place no sooner than two weekends after first reading.
What happens at second reading?
The Government minister, spokesperson or MP responsible for the Bill opens the second reading debate. The official Opposition spokesperson responds with their views on the Bill.
The debate continues with other Opposition parties and backbench MPs giving their opinions. At the end of the debate, the Commons decides whether the Bill should be given its second reading by voting, meaning it can proceed to the next stage.
What happens after second reading?
The Bill proceeds to committee stage and will be considered in a Public Bill Committee. Each clause (part) and any amendments (proposals for change) to the Bill may be debated.