We’ve previously advised you that the cost control aspect of the valuations is on hold until the court process in the McCloud case is completed. The legal case is in connection with transitional protection provided to some members when the career average arrangement was introduced.

The case, brought by members of the Judicial and Firefighters’ pension schemes, was heard in the Court of Appeal. In December 2018, the Court determined that the transitional protection offered to some members of those two Schemes, whereby they remained in the Final Salary arrangement if they were within 10 years of their Normal Pension Age on 1 April 2012, gave rise to unlawful age discrimination.

The Government sought permission from the Supreme Court to appeal this decision. This has been now been unsuccessful and consequently an Employment Tribunal will need to identify a suitable remedy. The Government will need to remedy previous discrimination and remove discrimination in the future. The Government is considering the impact on other public service schemes, including the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.

We’ll provide a further update when more information becomes available.