Recommendation 12

As a part of its 2011–2015 reforms, HM Treasury made a commitment that there would be no more reforms for 25 years. HM Treasury told us there are no intentions for further cross-government reform, but that it is something it continues to monitor.26 However, we are just six years into the post-reforms period and already there are substantial issues that need to be resolved. Both the McCloud judgment and HM Treasury’s concerns around the cost control mechanism have highlighted weaknesses in the sustainability of the reforms over the long term. COVID-19 and Brexit are likely to impact GDP in the short term, and it is too soon to tell if these events will have a long-term impact on public service pensions affordability.27