Thread by @JosephineCumbo

#UUK has responded to further questions on the #USS proposal made to #UCU Friday 23/12.

Questions and answers to follow

1/

Q: Has UUK undertaken to remove Jan23 JNC decision completely from the table?
A: As part of the jointly developed proposal agreed at Acas on 12March UUK pledged not to take forward the Jan23 JNC decision & suspended member consultation on it. This commitment remains in place
2/

Q: Is #USS bound to accept the recommendation of the joint expert panel?

A: Under legislation it is the trustee’s role to determine the scheme’s technical provisions therefore the USS Trustee cannot be bound by the findings of the Joint Expert Panel.

3/

Q: If the expert panel cannot reach agreement, what do employers understand will be the fallback position on the valuation?

A: The valuation is the responsibility of the USS Trustee.

4/

Q: Can USS impose the Jan 23 valuation decision?

A: The decision on the 23 Jan by the JNC was on benefit reform not valuation. We have asked the member consultation on this decision is suspended.

5/

Q: Is there appetite from employers to raise contributions above 19.3%?

A: We have no mandate for this. Employers gave their backing for 12 March Acas agreement, which would have involved them increasing their contributions to 19.3% of salaries. (cont)

6/

A: (cont) However, many employers have made clear that raising contributions to this level would mean difficult choices over where the money comes from as budgets would have to be cut to move money into pensions.

7/

Q: Is the ACAS proposal of March 23 publicly available?

A: universitiesuk.ac.uk/news/Pages/Joi…