• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

MayorWatch

London News and Comment

  • NEWS
  • Twitter

City Hall forced to hire in consultants after Mayor and AMs blocked from pension scheme

August 24, 2015 - Martin Hoscik@MayorWatch

city_hall_wideThe Government’s decision to exclude the Mayor and all 25 members of the London Assembly from the local government pension scheme is to cost Londoners at least £14,000 in consultancy fees.

The role of Mayor and Assembly Member are full-time, salaried posts and the office holders are entitled to have access to a pension scheme under the 1999 Greater London Authority Act.

However, in 2014, ministers banned future mayors and AMs from joining the local government scheme as part of a clampdown originally aimed at stopping unpaid councillors benefiting from a taxpayer funded pension.

Ministers said that pension schemes and other allowances had “slowly become a form of salary” for councillors.

Although they acknowledged the Mayor and AMs “are in a different position by being paid a salary”, ministers said “as a matter of principle” the scheme should only be open to paid local government staff, not politicians.

The move has forced the Greater London Authority to hire in consultants to advise on alternative pensions arrangements for the incoming Mayor and Assembly.

Concerns have been expressed by some City Hall politicians that the runnings costs of any private scheme bought-in to replace the local government pension could end up costing Londoners more.

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

RECENT UPDATES

852 new homes to be built in Acton by Transport for London

HGV operators in London urged to apply for a Direct Vision Standard permit

TfL proposes bus and tube cuts and annual fares increases to achieve long-term financial sustainability

London’s entire bus fleet now meets ULEZ emissions standards




Popular

1,700 extra Santander Cycles are coming to London’s streets

TfL confirms changes to Older Person’s Freedom Pass and 60+ Oyster card hours

TfL fares to rise in return for £1.6bn Government rescue package

Election for Mayor of London and London Assembly postponed until 2021

FEATURED

City Hall to move to Docklands as Mayor seeks to raise £55m for frontline services

‘Concern’ over TfL’s ability to deliver major projects in wake of Crossrail cost overruns

City Hall halts London Overground ticket office closures but many will still see opening hours reduced

Transport for London confirms bus cuts will go ahead despite passenger opposition

GOT A STORY?

As the original London news and scrutiny site we've been casting an eye over the capital's public services and politicians since 1999.

 

Many of our top stories started with a tip-off from a reader - if you've got something you'd like us to cover get in touch and we'll do the rest.

Stay In Touch

  • E-mail
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2021 MayorWatch Publications Limited · MayorWatch is Registered Trademark · All Rights Reserved · Contact Us · Terms of Use · Privacy Policy

MayorWatch Publications Limited · 20-22 Wenlock Road · London N1 7GU · Company Number 6291816

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.