Explanatory note

This Order amends the European Parliamentary (United Kingdom Representatives) Pensions (Consolidation and Amendment) Order 1994 (S.I. 1994.1662) (“the Principal Order”) which was made under section 4 of the European Parliament (Pay and Pensions) Act 1979 (“the 1979 Act”) and sets out a pension scheme for United Kingdom representatives to the European Parliament (“Representatives”).

The Order comes into force on 29th March 2013 but articles 4 (categories of contributor) and 5 (contributions and option) have effect from 1st April 2012. Section 4(3)(g) of the 1979 Act allows provisions of the Order to have effect from a date before the date the Order is made.

Article 5 amends article 5 of the Principal Order. It provides for new rates at which Representatives contribute to the scheme. It also provides for an option for Representatives to change their membership category. The option must be exercised by 1st July 2013 and takes effect from 1st April 2012.

Article 4 amends the definitions of the membership categories in article 2 of the Principal Order to take account of this option for Representatives.

Article 6 provides for the collection of the additional contributions from Representatives whose contribution rate increases with effect from 1st April 2012 as a result of the changes made by Article 5.

An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.