Date: 13/03/2019   |   Category - News, Workforce

WLGA has welcomed confirmation by Welsh Government of additional funding being made available in 2019-20 to help meet the additional costs associated with pension changes previously announced by UK Government.

The additional funding comprises:

• £42.1m made available to cover the estimated pressure of changes to pensions of teachers in maintained schools
• £6m to cover impact on local authorities of fire services pension increase

Responding to the announcement, Councillor Debbie Wilcox (Newport), WLGA Leader said:

“The WLGA welcomes this announcement from the Welsh Government.  There has been a great deal of uncertainty around the additional pension funding required for teachers, firefighters and other public sector workers since the UK Government announced plans to increase employer contributions back in September. At a time when many local authorities are having to make very difficult and often unpalatable choices when setting their budgets and council tax levels for 2019-20, this announcement is great news and provides further stability for next year.”

“The new Welsh Government and Ministers have worked with local government in an open and collaborative way in putting our case to the UK Government and we are grateful for their efforts. This shows a clear commitment to our schools and other frontline services and highlights what we can achieve when we work together.  I look forward to the continuation of this approach and to working closely with the Welsh Government over the coming year.”

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