Government Proposes LGPS Access for Mayors and Councillors in England

On 17 October 2025, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) launched a consultation which, amongst other things, proposed that elected mayors and councillors in England be granted access to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). This would align the position in England with that in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

The consultation 

The “LGPS in England and Wales: Scheme Improvements (Access and Protections)” consultation addresses four areas of the LGPS, including the proposal to “extend access to the LGPS to elected members of local authorities and combined authorities, including councillors and mayors”. 

The consultation closes on 22 December 2025. 

Firm government policy?

Although the consultation remains open until 22 December 2025, the tone of the title of MHCLG’s blog post – “Mayors and councillors to access LGPS under reforms” – which it published alongside the consultation, may suggest that this is a reform that the government is keen to see implemented and we are likely to see confirmed in early 2026. The release says that “the proposals will show locally elected leaders the respect they deserve as dedicated public servants”.

Rationale for the proposal

Separately, MHCLG have announced a series of reforms to local government – which range from “local government reorganisation, to getting audit back on track, to reforming how we fund councils, to a new standards regime and to deeper devolution with more responsibility for mayors”. 

MHCLG refer to these wider reforms to the local government, along with aligning the position with the rest of the UK, as the rationale for the proposal:

“Under these planned changes to local government, more will be asked of mayors and councillors. Mayors will also in many parts of the country be taking on the role of Police and Crime Commissioner - a role that is eligible for access to the LGPS. The government view is that councillors and mayors offer a vital public service, and should receive appropriate renumeration and suffer no financial disadvantage for their service.”

The government says that the proposal to reinstate LGPS access for councillors, and to allow mayors to participate is key to “enabling and encouraging talented people to come into public service”. It also highlights the importance of the position being consistent across the UK.

There are further significant reforms being made to the LGPS via the Pension Schemes Bill – you can read about these reforms in detail in our Pension Schemes Bill handbook.

This article was written by Callum Duckmanton and Michael Hayles.

Look out for further updates from us over the coming weeks and months as the Bill makes its way through the legislative process. And if you have any questions or would like advice about the implications of the changes for your fund or pool, please contact Michael.

The government view is that councillors and mayors offer a vital public service, and should receive appropriate renumeration and suffer no financial disadvantage for their service.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/local-government-pension-scheme-in-england-and-wales-scheme-improvements-access-and-protections/local-government-pension-scheme-in-england-and-wales-scheme-improvements-access-and-protections#access-for-councillors-and-mayors