Civil Service Pension Scheme 2026-03-05
2026-03-05
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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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.
What recent discussions has the Minister had with Capita to ensure timely payments under the civil service pension scheme?
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.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific details about the recovery plan and actions taken to ensure timely payments
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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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.
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?
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.
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Assessment & feedback
Commitment to a full review and a statement to the House
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Constituents Richard, Peter and Chris have been unable to access their pensions despite giving the required notice and waiting for months.
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?
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.
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Assessment & feedback
Timetable for proper service levels and compensation for financial hardship
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
A constituent applied for his pension over six months earlier and has been forced to draw on personal savings to get by.
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?
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.
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Assessment & feedback
Introduction of a redress scheme
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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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.
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?
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.
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Assessment & feedback
Timeline for insourcing and stopping rewarding failure by outsourcing companies
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The privatisation of the delivery of the civil service pension scheme has caused significant distress and financial hardship.
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?
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.
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Assessment & feedback
Apology to those facing penury
Response accuracy
Q7
Direct Answer
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Context
A constituent retired almost a year ago but is still unable to access his pension.
Will Ministers meet me to discuss my constituent's case, because it is completely unacceptable?
I will of course meet my hon. Friend to discuss Stephen's case and resolve it as quickly as possible.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy