Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Civil Service Pension Scheme

Thursday 5 March 2026 · 7 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 6 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government are overseeing a robust recovery plan for the civil service pension scheme and met with Capita to set out expectations.
  • The priority is to complete the robust recovery plan and return to normal service levels as quickly as possible.
  • Honorable Members are encouraged to direct their constituents towards the statutory complaints procedure for compensation determination.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Catherine Fookes Lab Monmouthshire
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Delays in pension payments have caused significant stress for civil servants and pension scheme members after Capita took over the civil service pension scheme.

Question

What recent discussions has the Minister had with Capita to ensure timely payments under the civil service pension scheme?

Answer from Satvir Kaur

The Government are overseeing a robust recovery plan for the service and are ensuring that support is available to help those impacted. My right hon. Friend the Paymaster General has met the chief executive of Capita to set out what the Government expect, and we will do all we can to hold Capita to account to deliver the high standards that people deserve.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details about the recovery plan and actions taken to ensure timely payments

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Q2 Gareth Bacon Con Orpington
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Many hon. Members have received correspondence from former civil servants whose payments have been excessively delayed since Capita took over the civil service pension scheme.

Question

Will the Minister commit to a full review of the service Capita has provided and to making a statement to the House about the actions being taken to improve the service?

Answer from Satvir Kaur

The priority right now is to ensure that the robust recovery plan is completed and that we get a normal service as quickly as possible. Of course, we will continue to update the House.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to a full review and a statement to the House

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Q3 Catherine Fookes Lab Monmouthshire
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Constituents Richard, Peter and Chris have been unable to access their pensions despite giving the required notice and waiting for months.

Question

When can the Minister update the hon. Friend on when a return to proper service levels is expected and whether she will look at MyCSP and Capita providing compensation to those facing financial hardship?

Answer from Satvir Kaur

There is a timetable in our recovery plan. I encourage my hon. Friend to write to me so that the team can look into that case.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Timetable for proper service levels and compensation for financial hardship

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Q4 Claire Young Lib Dem Thornbury and Yate
Benefits & Welfare
Context

A constituent applied for his pension over six months earlier and has been forced to draw on personal savings to get by.

Question

Will the Government introduce a redress scheme for pensioners who were forced to deplete their savings or take out commercial loans due to pension delays?

Answer from Satvir Kaur

Hardship loans are available, and a statutory complaints procedure is in place to determine whether compensation is appropriate. I urge hon. Members to direct their constituents towards it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Introduction of a redress scheme

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Q5 Kim Johnson Lab Liverpool Riverside
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The manifesto promised the biggest wave of insourcing for a generation. Capita will not fix pension issues until June and has been awarded a payroll contract for a quarter of a million workers.

Question

When will the biggest wave of insourcing promised in the manifesto happen and when will the Government stop rewarding failure by issuing contracts to outsourcing companies?

Answer from Satvir Kaur

I understand my hon. Friend's frustration. She will know that the contract was awarded under the previous Government in 2023. I reassure her that existing key performance indicators have been enhanced and strengthened to deliver tighter performance expectations, with higher penalties for severe failures. Those have already been applied to recent issues and delays in Capita's administration of the civil service pension scheme.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Timeline for insourcing and stopping rewarding failure by outsourcing companies

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Q6 Brendan O'Hara SNP Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The privatisation of the delivery of the civil service pension scheme has caused significant distress and financial hardship.

Question

Will the Minister start by apologising to those in the constituency who have been left facing penury due to the Government's part in the mismanagement of the transfer to Capita?

Answer from Satvir Kaur

As I have said, the contract was awarded under the previous Government. We have the right to hold Capita to account, which we are doing. I am sorry to hear of the difficulties and distress that the hon. Gentleman's constituents are facing. I encourage him and all Members to contact me and my team about such matters so that we can look into and resolve them as quickly as possible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Apology to those facing penury

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Q7 Luke Myer Lab Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland
Benefits & Welfare
Context

A constituent retired almost a year ago but is still unable to access his pension.

Question

Will Ministers meet me to discuss my constituent's case, because it is completely unacceptable?

Answer from Satvir Kaur

I will of course meet my hon. Friend to discuss Stephen's case and resolve it as quickly as possible.

Answered
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