Parliamentary.ai

Overview

This bill amends the Public Service Pensions Bill to require a government report assessing the impact of the bill on the Defence Fire and Rescue Service and Ministry of Defence Police. The report will examine potential effects on personnel health, ability to meet operational needs, early retirements, and associated taxpayer costs.

Description

The original Public Service Pensions Bill did not specifically address the Defence Fire and Rescue Service. Amendments in the House of Lords sought to include them. The House of Commons disagreed with the financial implications of this amendment. A compromise was reached. A new clause was added requiring a report within six months of the Act's enactment.

Report Content:

This report must assess the impacts on: personnel health and well-being; the ability of these services to meet the Ministry of Defence's requirements; and the numbers taking early retirement, the consequences of this and related taxpayer costs.

Government Spending

The bill itself does not directly allocate new funds. However, the required report may highlight potential costs associated with early retirements from the Defence Fire and Rescue Service and Ministry of Defence Police, leading to possible future budgetary implications depending on the report's findings. No figures are available at this time.

Groups Affected

The bill primarily affects:

• Members of the Defence Fire and Rescue Service: The report will assess the impact of the Public Service Pensions Bill on their health, ability to meet operational demands, and early retirement rates.
• Members of the Ministry of Defence Police (nominated under section 1 of the Ministry of Defence Police Act 1987): Similar assessments will be made for this group.
• Taxpayers: The report will analyze the costs to the taxpayer associated with early retirements from these services.
• Parliament: The report will be presented to both Houses of Parliament for scrutiny.