To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) which local authorities have taken contribution holidays from the local government pension scheme in each of the last 10 years; (103917)

[holding answer 27 November 2006]: The contribution rates paid by local authorities who participate in the Local Government Pension Scheme in England and Wales are assessed by fund actuaries every three years to ensure the long term solvency of the scheme. Over the last 10 years, the funds have been valued as at 31 March 1998, 2001 and 2004, with the next valuation due on 31 March 2007.

Details of individual contribution rates finally set by the 89 LGPS administering authorities in England and Wales are included in reports prepared by fund actuaries engaged by those authorities and are not held centrally. Seeking permission from all 89 authorities, and the relevant actuarial firms to publish this information for each of the three valuation exercises that have taken place since 1998, could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Individual Local Government Pension Scheme pension fund authorities can provide specific details of contribution levels for their participating employers.