Fifty-Seventh Report - AEA Technology Pension Case
Select Committee
Public Accounts Committee
HC 1005
14 June 2023
Government response
Treasury minutes: Government response to the Committee of Public Accounts on the Fifty-seventh report from Session 2022-23 · published 24 Sep 2023
Recommendations & Conclusions
5 results
3
Recommendation
Deferred
Review ombudsman arrangements to ensure adequate appeal routes for pension complaints.
Recommendation
The AEAT case shows that there are gaps in the routes of appeal available for people raising complaints about their pensions. It is a fundamental right that 6 AEA Technology Pension Case people have appropriate and accessible routes of appeal. …
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Government Response Summary
The government deflects the recommendation, stating that the request for the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee to consider time limits is a matter for that Committee. It does not address the recommendation to review ombudsman arrangements.
HM Treasury
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13
Conclusion
Deferred
Accessible ombudsman services are essential for people to pursue independent, affordable routes of appeal.
Conclusion
It is a fundamental right that people should have appropriate and accessible routes of appeal. Actions by government bodies are in principle subject to judicial review through the courts, but this is an expensive process.25 Ombudsman services provide a way …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the recommendation and will conduct an independent review of The Pensions Ombudsman in Autumn 2024, noting the department can request consideration of other relevant areas during this review.
HM Treasury
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14
Conclusion
Deferred
Ombudsman services lack statutory jurisdiction to investigate key 1996 government information in AEAT case.
Conclusion
In the case of the AEAT pension scheme, relevant ombudsman services said they were unable to properly investigate key aspects of scheme members complaints.27 Some aspects of the case could be reviewed. For example, GAD described to us how complaints …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the recommendation and will conduct an independent review of The Pensions Ombudsman in Autumn 2024, noting the department can request consideration of other relevant areas during this review.
HM Treasury
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15
Conclusion
Deferred
PHSO's legislative remit contains significant gaps preventing investigation of AEAT pension cases.
Conclusion
PHSO described to us the gaps in its remit which prevent it from providing pension scheme members with a route to appeal in this case or in similar situations. PHSO explained that its jurisdiction only allows it to investigate GAD …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the observation, stating that The Pensions Ombudsman will undergo an independent review in 2024, during which the department can request consideration of additional areas, without committing to amend PHSO's legislation.
HM Treasury
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16
Conclusion
Deferred
Pensions Ombudsman faces remit limitations, Limitation Act barriers, and inadequate data retention protocols.
Conclusion
The Pensions Ombudsman may also be a suitable body to investigate the administration and management of pension schemes, as it is the expert in government for investigating pensions complaints.32 However, it has no remit over the role of GAD in …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the recommendation and will conduct an independent review of The Pensions Ombudsman in Autumn 2024, stating the department can request the reviewer considers other areas that would benefit from their consideration.
HM Treasury
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