Pensions
Grant Thornton fined over pension audit
Grant Thornton has been fined by the Financial Reporting Council for ‘failures’ in its audit of an unnamed local authority’s pension fund.
Councils urged to review ‘excessive’ pensions contributions
Councils should review ‘excessive’ pensions contributions to help ease the sector’s financial pressures, new analysis has found.
Autumn Statement: Hunt announces surprise LGPS plan
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has announced a surprise target to ensure all Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) funds are invested in asset pools of £200bn or more by 2040.
Call for 'urgent review' of pensions contributions
Calls have been made for a review of contributions for Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) employers in England and Wales.
Greens push for divestment
There will be a greater push for divestment in the local government pension scheme (LGPS) after the Greens made a record 200 seat gains this year, a senior councillor has predicted.
LGPS: Pooling should start from the bottom up
The future of the Local Government Pension Scheme depends not just on investment efficiencies but on getting the relationship between employers and their funds right, says Steve Simkins.
Growth battlelines
Rishi Sunak has launched a towns plan, while a new report says bringing UK cities up to the productivity levels of their European peers could deliver a massive dividend. But is there a better way that helps all towns and cities? Heather Jameson reports.
Council pension funds call for climate vote
Local authority pension fund managers have urged big companies to give shareholders more of a say on plans to reach net zero.
Pension consultants ramp up opposition to pooling reforms
Council pension consultants have intensified opposition to Whitehall’s plan for a single model for pooled funds before a key Government consultation closes next week.
Call for professional LGPS qualification
Council pension schemes face a staff brain drain that could be tackled by a professional qualification and better workforce planning, a leading consultant has said.
Plotting a course for the pensions workforce
Ian Colvin says while there is no one answer to the challenge of recruitment and retention within LGPS teams, ideas are emerging on how to attract and keep the best people.
Is in-house best for innovation
The sector should not fall for the idea that local authority trading companies are more innovative or more responsive than in-house services, writes John Tizard.
Plymouth reaches impasse with auditor
Auditors could issue a qualified opinion on Plymouth City Council’s accounts after questioning its methods to pay off a multi-million pound pension deficit.
Consultancy challenges ministers over pension pooling drive
One of the Local Government Pension Scheme’s (LGPS) biggest consultancies has challenged ministers to provide clearer evidence of the benefits of larger pooled funds.
Going further and faster on pensions decarbonisation
Islington LBC began decarbonising its pension fund seven years ago and has reduced emissions by 40% in the last two years alone. Cllr Paul Convery says it’s a financially sound strategy.
Shared cost pensions scheme is a win-win
Salary sacrifice shared cost AVCs enhance employees’ retirement dreams at a time of inflationary challenges and help employers to make substantial organisational savings, says Shaun Tetley.
Little takes over investment pool chair
The founder of asset management advisory firm Alderwood Partners has taken over as chair of the Local Pensions Partnership Investments (LPPI) pool’s board.
Workforce warning for pension scheme after survey
Almost a quarter (23%) of local government pension scheme (LGPS) employees feel they do not have the right staff in place, a survey conducted by the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) has found.
'Flawed' climate change advice putting pension funds at risk
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) funds are being put at risk by ‘flawed’ advice on the financial impact of climate change, according to a major new study.
LGPS should consider alternatives to Government’s investment agenda
Steve Simkins says it would be hasty to encourage the LGPS to invest in assets which support the Government’s growth agenda without looking at the alternatives, including more local approaches.
