2019 No. 378

Public Service Pensions, England And Wales
Police, England And Wales

The Police and Firefighters’ (Pensions etc.) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2019

Made

Laid before Parliament

Coming into force

The Secretary of State makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers in sections 1 and 3 of the Police Pensions Act 19761 (“the 1976 Act”), section 60 of the Police Act 19962 (“the 1996 Act”), and section 3 of, and paragraph 9 of Schedule 3 to, the Public Service Pensions Act 20133 (“the 2013 Act”).

In accordance with section 1(1) and (1ZB) of the 1976 Act, before making regulations 1 to 10, the Secretary of State consulted the Police Advisory Board for England and Wales and invited the views of the Northern Ireland Policing Board and the Police Association for Northern Ireland.

In accordance with section 60(4) of the 1996 Act, before making regulations 1 and 11, the Secretary of State has consulted the national board of the Police Federation for England and Wales.

In accordance with section 22(2)(a) of the 2013 Act, before making regulations 1 and 10, the Secretary of State consulted representatives of such persons as appeared to the Secretary of State to be likely to be affected by those regulations, with a view to reaching agreement.

In accordance with section 22(2)(b) of the 2013 Act, the Secretary of State has laid a report before Parliament.

In accordance with section 1(1) of the 1976 Act and section 3(5) of the 2013 Act, regulations 1 to 10 are made with the consent of the Treasury4.

The Secretary of State also makes these Regulations in exercise of the powers in section 26(1), (2) and (5) of the Fire Services Act 19475, section 12 of the Superannuation Act 19726, as applied by section 16(3) of that Act, and sections 34 and 60 of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 20047.

Before making these Regulations and in accordance with section 34(5) of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004, the Secretary of State consulted such persons as the Secretary of State considered appropriate.

PART 1Introductory

Citation, commencement, extent and application1

1

These Regulations may be cited as the Police and Firefighters’ (Pensions etc.) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2019.

2

These Regulations come into force on 1st April 2019 but the provisions mentioned in paragraph (3) have effect as provided in that paragraph.

3

The provisions in—

a

regulations 5, 7, 14, 15, 17 and 19 to 21 have effect from 5th December 2005;

b

regulation 13 has effect from 1st April 2007;

c

regulations 3 and 8 have effect from 3rd April 2011;

d

regulation 16 has effect from 13th March 2014.

4

These Regulations extend to England and Wales.

5

Part 3 of these Regulations applies in England only.

PART 2Police

CHAPTER 1Police Pensions Regulations 1987

Amendments to the Police Pensions Regulations 19872

The Police Pensions Regulations 19878 are amended in accordance with regulations 3 to 5.

Amendments to regulation F13

In regulation F1 (reckoning of pensionable service)9—

a

in paragraph (1)(db), for “, unpaid adoption support leave or unpaid maternity support leave” substitute “or unpaid adoption support leave”;

b

after paragraph (1)(db) insert—

dc

any period of unpaid maternity support leave taken on or after 3rd April 2011 in respect of which the conditions specified in paragraph (1B) are not satisfied;

c

in paragraph (1B)10, in the opening words, for “sub-paragraphs (c), (da) and (db)” substitute “sub-paragraphs (c) to (dc)”.

Amendments to regulation G64

In regulation G6 (payments by women to enhance widowers’ awards)11—

a

after paragraph (1A)12 insert—

1B

But an election under this regulation which is made by virtue of the amendments to these Regulations by the Police and Firefighters’ (Pensions etc.) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2019 may secure the counting of pensionable service before 6th April 1988 irrespective of whether an election to which paragraph (1A) applies was previously made.

b

in paragraph (3)13, at the end insert—

i

in the case of a woman who was entitled to make an election under paragraph (1), to which sub-paragraphs (e) to (h) apply, who elects to secure the counting of pensionable service before 6th April 1988 (not being service which is already the subject of an election to enhance her surviving spouse or surviving civil partner award), the date on which the Police and Firefighters’ (Pensions etc.) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2019 come into force.

c

in paragraph (4A)14, for “or (h)” substitute “, (h) or (i)”.

Amendments to Schedule C5

1

In Part 1 (widow’s ordinary pension) of Schedule C (widows’ awards)15—

a

in paragraph 1, omit sub-paragraphs (2B) and (2C);

b

in paragraph 3, omit “of a woman”.

2

In Part 3 (widow’s accrued pension) of Schedule C16—

a

in paragraph 1, omit sub-paragraphs (1B) and 1(1C);

b

in paragraph 3(4), omit “of a woman”.

3

In Part 4 (widow’s pension in case of post-retirement marriage) of Schedule C17, omit paragraphs 5 and 6.

4

In Part 5 (widow’s requisite benefit pension) of Schedule C18—

a

in paragraph 1—

i

in sub-paragraph (a), omit “, subject to paragraph 1A,”,

ii

omit the “and” following sub-paragraph (a),

iii

omit sub-paragraph (b);

b

omit paragraph 1A.

Transitional provision6

1

Paragraph (2) applies where—

a

unpaid maternity support leave has been taken; and

b

the period specified in regulation F1(1D)(a) of the Police Pensions Regulations 198719 within which notice in writing must be given has ended, or will end, on or before 1st July 2019.

2

Regulation F1(1D)(a) has effect as if notice must be given—

a

on or before 1st July 2019; or

b

where the police pension authority is satisfied that it was not reasonably practicable to give notice on or before that date, on or before 1st April 2020.

CHAPTER 2Police (Injury Benefit) Regulations 2006

Amendments to the Police (Injury Benefit) Regulations 20067

1

The Police (Injury Benefit) Regulations 200620 are amended in accordance with paragraph (2).

2

In regulation 13 (adult survivor’s special award) omit paragraphs (11) and (12).

CHAPTER 3Police Pensions Regulations 2006

Amendments to the Police Pensions Regulations 20068

1

The Police Pensions Regulations 200621 are amended in accordance with paragraph (2).

2

In regulation 10 (reckoning of pensionable service)22—

a

in paragraph (1)(ba), for “, unpaid adoption support leave or unpaid maternity support leave” substitute “or unpaid adoption support leave”;

b

after paragraph (1)(ba) insert—

bb

any period of unpaid maternity support leave taken on or after 3rd April 2011 in respect of which the conditions specified in paragraph (2) are not satisfied;

c

in paragraph (2), in the opening words for “sub-paragraphs (a) and (b)” substitute “sub-paragraphs (a) to (bb)”.

Transitional provision9

1

Paragraph (2) applies where—

a

unpaid maternity support leave has been taken; and

b

the period specified in regulation 10(4)(a) of the Police Pensions Regulations 200623 within which notice in writing must be given has ended, or will end, on or before 1st July 2019.

2

Regulation 10(4)(a) has effect as if notice must be given—

a

on or before 1st July 2019; or

b

where the police pension authority is satisfied that it was not reasonably practicable to give notice on or before that date, on or before 1st April 2020.

CHAPTER 4Police Pensions Regulations 2015

Amendment to the Police Pensions Regulations 201510

1

The Police Pensions Regulations 201524 are amended in accordance with paragraph (2).

2

In the heading to the table in regulation 170 (rate of member contributions), for “31st March 2019” substitute “31st March 2020”.

CHAPTER 5Police Federation (England and Wales) Regulations 2017

Amendment to the Police Federation (England and Wales) Regulations 201711

1

The Police Federation (England and Wales) Regulations 201725 are amended in accordance with paragraph (2).

2

In regulation 9 (Metropolitan police force: branch council and representation), after paragraph (1) insert—

1A

For the purposes of paragraph (1), the number of police officers in the metropolitan police force is the total number of police officers in that force on 31st March in the year that was two years before that in which the election is held.

PART 3Firefighters

CHAPTER 1Firefighters’ Pension Scheme Order 1992

Amendments to the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme Order 199212

Schedule 2 to the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme Order 199226 (“the Order”) (in which the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme is set out) is amended in accordance with regulations 13 to 17.

Amendment to Part B (personal awards)13

In rule B5A (entitlement to two pensions)27—

a

in paragraph (2), for “exceeds” substitute “is lower than”;

b

in paragraph (6), after “B1” insert “B1A,”;

c

in paragraph (9), for “paragraph (3)” substitute “paragraph (4)”.

Amendments to Part C (awards on death – spouses)14

1

In rule C1 (spouse’s ordinary pension)—

a

in paragraph (2)28, after “spouse” insert “or surviving civil partner”;

b

omit paragraph (2A)29.

2

In rule C4 (spouse’s accrued pension)30 in paragraph (3)—

a

in sub-paragraph (a,) after “spouse” insert “or surviving civil partner”;

b

omit sub-paragraph (b) and the “and” preceding it.

3

In rule C5 (limitation on award to spouse or civil partner by reference to date of marriage or formation of partnership)31—

a

in paragraph (2), after “spouse” insert “or surviving civil partner”;

b

omit paragraph (3).

4

In rule C6 (spouse or civil partner’s requisite benefit and temporary pension), in paragraph (4)32—

a

in sub-paragraph (a) omit “in the case of a surviving spouse,”;

b

omit sub-paragraph (b) and the “and” preceding it.

5

In rule C8 (limitation where spouses living apart) in paragraph (2)33—

a

in sub-paragraph (a), omit “in the case of a surviving spouse,”;

b

omit sub-paragraph (b) and the “and” preceding it.

Amendments to Part J (special cases)15

In rule J1 (guaranteed minimum pensions)34—

a

for paragraph (2)(b) substitute—

b

in the case of a person who dies at any time and leaves a widow, a surviving same-sex spouse or surviving civil partner, that person is entitled to a pension of a weekly rate equal to half the deceased person’s guaranteed minimum, and

b

in paragraph (2), omit sub-paragraph (d) and the “and” preceding it;

c

in paragraph (4), for “, (c) or (d)” substitute “or (c)”.

Amendment to Schedule 1 to the scheme16

Omit paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 3 (provision relating to same sex couples) of Schedule 1 to the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (in Schedule 2 to the Order)35.

Amendments to Schedule 3 to the scheme17

In Schedule 3 (awards on death – spouses) to the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (in Schedule 2 to the Order)—

a

in Part 3 (spouse’s accrued pension)—

i

in paragraph 2(1), after “spouse’s” insert “, or surviving civil partner’s,”,

ii

in paragraph 3(1), after “spouse” insert “or surviving civil partner”;

b

in Part 4 (pension for surviving spouse of post-retirement marriage), in paragraphs 1(1)36 and 2(1), after “surviving spouse” insert “or surviving civil partner”.

CHAPTER 2Firefighters’ Compensation Scheme (England) Order 2006

Amendments to the Firefighters’ Compensation Scheme (England) Order 200618

Part 3 (Awards on Death: Spouses and Civil Partners) of Schedule 1 to the Firefighters’ Compensation Scheme (England) Order 200637 (in which the firefighters’ compensation scheme 2006 is set out) is amended in accordance with regulations 19 to 21.

Amendments to rule 119

In rule 1 (special award for spouse or civil partner), in paragraph (3)38—

a

in sub-paragraph (a), after “spouse” insert “or surviving civil partner”;

b

omit sub-paragraph (b).

Amendments to rule 320

In rule 3 (limitation on award to spouse or civil partner by reference to date of marriage or formation of partnership)—

a

in paragraph (2), after “spouse” insert “or surviving civil partner”;

b

omit paragraph (3).

Amendments to rule 421

In rule 4 (limitation where spouse or civil partner is living apart), in paragraph (2)39—

a

in sub-paragraph (a), after “spouse” insert “or surviving civil partner”;

b

omit sub-paragraph (b) and the “and” preceding it.

We consent

Jeremy QuinCraig WhittakerTwo of the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty’s Treasury

Signed

Nick HurdMinister of StateHome Department
EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

Part 2 of these Regulations, which extends to England and Wales, make amendments to the Police Pensions Regulations 1987 (“the 1987 Regulations”), the Police (Injury Benefit) Regulations 2006 (“the 2006 Injury Benefit Regulations”), the Police Pensions Regulations 2006 (“the 2006 Pension Regulations”), the Police Pensions Regulations 2015 (“the 2015 Regulations”) and the Police Federation (England and Wales) Regulations 2017 (“the 2017 Regulations”).

Regulation 3 allows police officers who are members of the scheme constituted by the 1987 Regulations to make contributions to buy pensionable service in relation to any period of unpaid maternity support leave during the period from 3rd April 2011 to 1st September 2014. Regulation 8 makes equivalent provision in relation to police officers who are members of the scheme constituted by the 2006 Pension Regulations. Transitional provision is made by regulations 6 and 9 in this regard.

Those amendments have effect from 3rd April 2011.

The effect of the amendments made by regulations 4 and 5 is to bring the benefits under the scheme constituted by the 1987 Regulations payable to survivors of civil partnerships and same sex marriages, into line with the benefits payable to widows of different-sex marriages. Regulation 7 makes a corresponding amendment to the 2006 Injury Benefit Regulations. Women police officers who paid lower contributions in anticipation of lower survivor benefits are enabled to elect to pay additional contributions to be able to access these higher survivor benefits.

Regulations 5 and 7 have effect from the dates from which civil partnerships were introduced.

Section 1(5) of the Police Pensions Act 1976 enables these Regulations to make amendments in relation to the 1987 Regulations and the 2006 Pension Regulations from a date earlier than the date these Regulations are made.

Regulation 170 of the 2015 Regulations makes provision for the contributions payable by members of those schemes up to 31st March 2019. Regulation 10 provides for the contribution rates applicable in the scheme year ending on that date also to apply for the following year. Since this involves a change to a protected element of the scheme constituted by the 2015 Regulations, the Secretary of State has consulted representatives of those likely to be affected by the change with a view to reaching agreement and has laid a report before Parliament.

Regulation 11 amends regulation 9 of the 2017 Regulations, to identify how the numbers of members of the metropolitan police branch are to be calculated for the purposes of local branch council elections of the Police Federation for England and Wales.

Part 3 of these Regulations, which applies in England only, make amendments to the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme contained in Schedule 2 to the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme Order 1992 (“the 1992 Order”) and to the Firefighters’ Compensation Scheme contained in Schedule 1 to the Firefighters Compensation Scheme (England) Order 2006 (“the Compensation Order”). The effect of the amendments, apart from the amendment made by regulation 13, is to bring the benefits payable to survivors of civil partnerships and same sex marriages into line with the benefits payable to widows of different-sex marriages.

The amendments made by regulation 13 ensure that a firefighter is not disadvantaged by the provision which allows for two pensions to be awarded, calculated separately, after a significant reduction in pay, and make other minor updates.

The amendments apart from that made by regulation 13 have effect from the dates from which civil partnerships or same-sex marriages were introduced. The amendment made by regulation 13 has effect from the date Rule B5A was inserted into the 1992 Order. Section 12(1) of the Superannuation Act 1972, as applied by section 16(3) of that Act in relation to orders made under section 26 of the Fire Services Act 1947, permits such retrospective provision in relation to the 1992 Order. Section 34(3) of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 permits retrospective provision in relation to the Compensation Order.

No impact assessment has been produced for this instrument as no impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.