2022 No. 117

National Health Service

The National Health Service Superannuation and Pension Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2022

Made

Laid before the Scottish Parliament

Coming into force in accordance with regulation 1(2) and (3)

The Scottish Ministers make the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 10 and 12 and schedule 3 of the Superannuation Act 19721, sections 1(1) and (2)(e), 2(1) and 3(1) to 3(3) of, and paragraph 5(b) of schedule 2, and schedule 3, of the Public Service Pensions Act 20132 and all other powers enabling them to do so.

In accordance with section 10(4) of the Superannuation Act 1972, the Scottish Ministers have consulted with such representatives of persons likely to be affected by these Regulations as appear to them to be appropriate.

In accordance with section 22(2)(a) of the Public Service Pensions Act 2013, the Scottish Ministers consulted the representatives of such persons as appeared to them likely to be affected by these Regulations. In accordance with section 22(2)(b) of that Act, the Scottish Ministers laid before the Scottish Parliament a report concerning the changes to members’ contribution rates under the NHS Pension Scheme (Scotland) 20153 made by these Regulations.

In accordance with section 10(1) of the Superannuation Act 1972 and section 3(5) of the Public Service Pensions Act 2013, these Regulations are made with the consent of the Treasury4.

PART 1Introductory

Citation and commencement1

1

These Regulations may be cited as the National Health Service Superannuation and Pension Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2022.

2

Save as provided for by paragraph (3), these Regulations come into force on 1 April 2022.

3

Regulations 2 to 5 come into force immediately after the expiry of section 46 of the Coronavirus Act 20205.

PART 2Modifications of restrictions on return to work

Duration of modifications in this Part2

The modifications in this Part apply until the end of 31 October 2022.

Modifications of the National Health Service Superannuation Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 20113

The National Health Service Superannuation Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 20116 have effect as if—

a

regulation S1 (suspension of pension on return to NHS employment) were omitted, and

b

in the opening words of regulation S2(4) (reduction of pension on return to NHS employment) the words “or (c)” were omitted.

Modifications of the National Health Service Superannuation Scheme (2008 Section) (Scotland) Regulations 20134

The National Health Service Superannuation Scheme (2008 Section) (Scotland) Regulations 20137 have effect as if the following regulations were omitted—

a

regulation 2.D.6(2)(a) (abatement of pension following increase in pensionable pay), and

b

regulation 3.D.6(2)(a) (abatement of pension following increase in engagement in employment).

Modifications of the National Health Service Pension Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 20155

The National Health Service Pension Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 20158 have effect as if regulation 85(3) (abatement of pension following continuation of employment) were omitted.

PART 3Amendment of the National Health Service Pension Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2015

6

The National Health Service Pension Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2015 are amended in accordance with regulations 7 and 8.

Amendment of regulation 307

In regulation 30 (members’ contributions: employees)—

a

after sub-paragraph (g)9, insert—

h

from 1 April 2022 is the percentage specified in column 2 of Table 8 below in respect of the corresponding pensionable earnings band specified in column 1 into which M’s pensionable earnings fall,

b

after table 710, insert—

Table 8

Column 1

Pensionable earnings band

Column 2

Contribution percentage rate

Up to £21,614

5.2%

£21,615 - £25,981

5.8%

£25,982 - £32,914

7.3%

£32,915 - £66,017

9.5%

£66,018 - £92,423

12.7%

£92,424 - £123,147

13.7%

£123,148 to any higher amount

14.7%

Amendment of regulation 318

In regulation 31 (members’ contributions: practitioners and non-GP providers)—

a

in paragraph (3), after sub-paragraph (g)11, insert—

h

from 1 April 2022 is the percentage specified in column 2 of Table 8 in paragraph (9) in respect of the corresponding pensionable earnings band specified in column 1 into which M’s pensionable earnings fall.

b

in paragraph (9), after table 712 insert—

Table 8

Column 1

Pensionable earnings band

Column 2

Contribution percentage rate

Up to £21,614

5.2%

£21,615 - £25,981

5.8%

£25,982 - £32,914

7.3%

£32,915 - £66,017

9.5%

£66,018 - £92,423

12.7%

£92,424 - £123,147

13.7%

£123,148 to any higher amount

14.7%

TOM ARTHURAuthorised to sign by the Scottish MinistersSt Andrew’s House,Edinburgh

We consent

GARETH JOHNSONMICHAEL TOMLINSONTwo of the Lords Commissioners ofHer Majesty’s Treasury
EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations make temporary modifications to the National Health Service Superannuation Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2011, the National Health Service Superannuation Scheme (2008 Section) (Scotland) Regulations 2013 and the National Health Service Pension Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2015 (“the 2015 Regulations”). The modifications have similar effect to section 46 of the Coronavirus Act 2020 (“the 2020 Act”) following the expiry of that section, until 31 October 2022. Section 46 of the 2020 Act suspends certain rules that apply in the NHS Pension Scheme in Scotland so that healthcare professionals who have recently retired can return to work and those who have already returned can increase their hours without there being a negative impact on their pension entitlements, in order that those rules do not act as a disincentive for healthcare professionals who wish to re-enter the workforce in order to assist the healthcare response to COVID-19.

Further, these Regulations amend the provisions of the 2015 Regulations relating to employee contributions and insert new tables reflecting revised employee contribution rates from 1 April 2022. In particular, regulation 7 inserts updated employee contribution bands from 1 April 2022. Regulation 8 inserts updated contribution bands for practitioners and non-GP providers from 1 April 2022.

The Regulations come into force on 1 April 2022, with the exception of regulations 2 to 5 which come into force immediately after the expiry of section 46 of the Coronavirus Act 2020.