Local government staff who have had their roles outsourced will receive increased pensions protections under new proposals published today.

A consultation has been launched on enabling transferred staff to retain the right to remain in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).

Under the proposals, it would no longer be possible for employers to offer staff a comparable scheme as long as they remain in the role they were transferred out from.

Local government minister, Rishi Sunak, said: ‘We're committed to making the LGPS fairer and are seeking views on taking existing pension protections further.

‘Staff who have no choice in the transfer of their role will, under these plans, have the peace of mind that despite their change in employer they will remain in the LGPS, retaining their full membership and benefits.'