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. This assessment will focus on the health, wellbeing, and operational capabilities of these groups, as well as the costs associated with early retirements.

Description

The original Public Service Pensions Bill did not explicitly consider the Defence Fire and Rescue Service (DFRS) and the Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) regarding pension changes. The House of Lords attempted to include the DFRS. The House of Commons disagreed due to financial implications. A compromise was reached resulting in a new clause mandating a report to be prepared within six months of the Act coming into force. This report, prepared jointly by the Secretaries of State for Defence and for the relevant Public Service department, must examine:

• The impact on the health and well-being of DFRS and MDP personnel.
• The ability of DFRS and MDP to meet the Ministry of Defence's operational requirements.
• The number of early retirements from DFRS and MDP, their consequences and the associated taxpayer costs.

Government Spending

The bill itself does not directly allocate funds. However, the required report may reveal additional costs to the government stemming from early retirements, potential for increased pension liabilities or other related expenses resulting from the impact of the main Public Service Pensions Bill on the DFRS and MDP. No specific figures are provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

The primary groups affected are:

• Members of the Defence Fire and Rescue Service: Their health, well-being, employment, and pension provision could be impacted by the changes.
• Members of the Ministry of Defence Police: Similar impacts as the DFRS are anticipated.
• Taxpayers: Potentially affected by increased costs associated with early retirements or other unforeseen consequences.
• Parliament: Responsible for reviewing the report and considering any further action needed.

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