• NHS Employers published guidance outlining measures that can be taken to reduce the impact of pension taxation on the NHS.
• It aims to help employers to apply the prime minister's 'permission' to implement a number of optional temporary measures locally.
• The measures outlined in this guidance can be used during the 2019-20 financial year, to support staff and service delivery, ahead of any changes to the NHS Pension Scheme or wider tax system.
  
  

Responding to guidance to reduce NHS pension taxation impact published by NHS Employers today, the director of policy and strategy at NHS Providers, Miriam Deakin said:

"The guidance issued is welcome.

"In the absence of a national policy solution pending the government’s consultation on NHS pensions, trusts have had to set up local pensions arrangements to keep senior staff members employed and keep services open for patients.

While it is useful for employers to have this guidance from government over the local flexibilities they can undertake if appropriate, trusts overwhelmingly want to see a national solution to the NHS pensions crisis.

Miriam Deakin    Co-Director of Development and Engagement

"While it is useful for employers to have this guidance from government over the local flexibilities they can undertake if appropriate, trusts overwhelmingly want to see a national solution to the NHS pensions crisis.

"The new speed and focus from the government on solving this issue is really welcome, as is the commitment to review the annual taper. But the forthcoming consultation and review need to be completed quickly.

"Staff are unlikely to stop reducing their hours or refusing additional work until we have a clear, definitive, solution fully in place."