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Deal struck over BHS pension scheme Deal struck over BHS pension scheme
(35 minutes later)
Sir Philip Green has agreed a £363m cash settlement with the Pensions Regulator to plug the gap in the BHS pension scheme.Sir Philip Green has agreed a £363m cash settlement with the Pensions Regulator to plug the gap in the BHS pension scheme.
Workers will get the same starting pension that they were originally promised.Workers will get the same starting pension that they were originally promised.
It brings to a close a long-running negotiation over benefits for former workers of the collapsed retailer.It brings to a close a long-running negotiation over benefits for former workers of the collapsed retailer.
The regulator had launched enforcement action against Sir Philip and other former owners of BHS.The regulator had launched enforcement action against Sir Philip and other former owners of BHS.
Sir Philip said: "I have today made a voluntary contribution of up to £363m to enable the trustees of the BHS Pension schemes to achieve a significantly better outcome than the schemes entering the Pension Protection Fund (PPF), which was the goal from the outset. 'Sorry chapter'
Sir Philip, who had promised to "sort" the pension scheme, said: "I have today made a voluntary contribution of up to £363m to enable the trustees of the BHS Pension schemes to achieve a significantly better outcome than the schemes entering the Pension Protection Fund (PPF), which was the goal from the outset.
"The settlement follows lengthy, complex discussions with the Pensions Regulator and the PPF, both of which are satisfied with the solution that has been offered."The settlement follows lengthy, complex discussions with the Pensions Regulator and the PPF, both of which are satisfied with the solution that has been offered.
"To achieve a significantly better outcome than entering the PPF, the contribution required to achieve this long-term solution was arrived at by the actuaries for both The Regulator and the trustees. "All relevant notices, including legal matters and claims from the regulator, have been withdrawn, bringing this matter to a conclusion."
"All relevant notices, including legal matters and claims from the regulator, have been withdrawn bringing this matter to a conclusion." "Once again I would like to apologise to the BHS pensioners for this last year of uncertainty, which was clearly never the intention when the business was sold in March 2015.
"I hope that this solution puts their minds at rest and closes this sorry chapter for them."
What the deal means for BHS pensionersWhat the deal means for BHS pensioners
There was a huge deficit in the BHS pension scheme - a fact that was key in the retailer's collapse.There was a huge deficit in the BHS pension scheme - a fact that was key in the retailer's collapse.
The negotiations centred on getting members of the scheme a pension that was closer to the one they were originally promised. Usually, failed pension schemes are rescued by the Pension Protection Fund which pays out a reduced amount. The negotiations centred on getting the 19,000 members of the scheme a pension that was closer to the one they were originally promised. Usually, failed pension schemes are rescued by the Pension Protection Fund, which pays out a reduced amount.
Had the PPF taken on the scheme, members aged under 60 would have seen a 10% reduction in their starting pension. Following Sir Philip's cash injection, they will now be transferred to a new scheme with the same starting pension that they had originally been promised.Had the PPF taken on the scheme, members aged under 60 would have seen a 10% reduction in their starting pension. Following Sir Philip's cash injection, they will now be transferred to a new scheme with the same starting pension that they had originally been promised.
Subsequent payments may not be as generous as they had originally thought, but are better than what they would have received under the PPF. Subsequent payments may not be as generous as they had originally thought, but are better than what they would have received under the PPF.
Benefits payable in retirement and built up prior to April 1997 will increase at 1.8% per year. Benefits payable in retirement and built up before April 1997 will increase at 1.8% per year.
Members can opt to take a lump sum if they have a pension pot of up to £18,000.Members can opt to take a lump sum if they have a pension pot of up to £18,000.
There will be no cap on pension payouts, which would have been the case under the PPF and would have hit those with bigger pensions.There will be no cap on pension payouts, which would have been the case under the PPF and would have hit those with bigger pensions.
Current pensioners will also receive a lump sum to make up for any underpaid pension benefits since March 2016, when the scheme, in effect, was under PPF rules. Current pensioners will also receive a lump sum to make up for any underpaid pension benefits since March 2016, when the scheme, in effect, was under PPF rules during an assessment period.
Sir Philip initially offered £250m, but the regulator had sought at least £350m.
The Pensions Regulator chief executive Lesley Titcomb said: "The agreement we have reached with Sir Philip Green represents a strong outcome for the members of the BHS pension schemes. It takes account of the interests of both pensioners and the PPF, and brings a welcome level of certainty to present and future pensioners.The Pensions Regulator chief executive Lesley Titcomb said: "The agreement we have reached with Sir Philip Green represents a strong outcome for the members of the BHS pension schemes. It takes account of the interests of both pensioners and the PPF, and brings a welcome level of certainty to present and future pensioners.
"Throughout our discussions with Sir Philip and his team, we have always been clear that we were determined to achieve the right outcome for members of the schemes both in terms of the amount and the structure of the settlement." "Throughout our discussions with Sir Philip and his team, we have always been clear that we were determined to achieve the right outcome for members of the schemes, both in terms of the amount and the structure of the settlement."
There was an estimated £571m hole - or deficit - in the BHS pension. The potential of taking on such a burden was seen as one of the reasons that BHS failed to find backers or buyers for the business at a whole. There was an estimated £571m hole in the BHS pension covering all future payouts. The potential of taking on such a burden was seen as one of the reasons that BHS failed to find backers or buyers for the business at a whole.
Frank Field, who chairs the Work and Pensions Select Committee, said: "I very much welcome this out-of-court settlement which is an important milestone in gaining the justice for BHS pensioners and former workers that we have been pushing for since beginning our inquiry into the downfall of BHS." In practical terms, the hit to the PPF of taking on the scheme would be £275m or more.
Sir Philip initially offered £250m, but the regulator had sought at least £350m - an ambition that it has now achieved. Another £20m from Sir Philip is being used to cover expenses.
MPs also called for the Topshop billionaire to be stripped of his knighthood. He was grilled by a committee of MPs over the sale of the chain, which he owned for 15 years before selling it for £1 to former bankrupt Dominic Chappell. Mr Chappell is still being pursued by the regulator.
'Stable'
Frank Field, who chairs the Work and Pensions Select Committee and who had suggested the retail tycoon's yacht could be seized to help shore up the pension fund, said: "I very much welcome this out-of-court settlement, which is an important milestone in gaining the justice for BHS pensioners and former workers that we have been pushing for since beginning our inquiry into the downfall of BHS.
"I think there are a lot of other issues which are not solved by this which we will obviously be looking at and the courts and everybody else will be.
"It is not justice, but it is a milestone."
Chris Martin, chairman of the BHS Pension Trustees, said: "The injection of cash from Sir Philip puts the new scheme on a stable footing.
"This is a robust scheme that delivers improved and sustainable benefits. We are now focused on communicating with members to initially outline the options that will be made available so that they are aware of the next steps and are able to make informed decisions at the appropriate time."