FOI reference - FOI-347
Date - 28 January 2025
Request
I would like to please ask if it’s possible to obtain the underlying data that provides information on which schemes have wound up as per the data seen on this webpage?
Also, whether there is any information on the number of public schemes which are winding up?
If you can provide any other statistics on solvency split by DB scheme by private/ public, that would be much appreciated.
Response
I confirm that we hold some of the information you have requested. However, some of the information you have requested is exempt from disclosure. Responses to each part of your request can be found below.
Part 1
Section 44(1)(a) – restricted information under s82 PA04
As we have been given strong powers to demand documents and other information from trustees, employers and others, those powers are also balanced by restrictions on how we disclose the information provided to us. The type of information you have requested would be ‘restricted information’. Restricted information is defined at section 82(4) of the Pensions Act 2004 (PA04) as:
‘…information obtained by the Regulator in the exercise of its functions which relates to the business or other affairs of any person’.
Under section 82(5) of the PA04 it is a criminal offence to disclose such information except as permitted under that Act.
Whilst the FoIA is based on the presumption of releasing information, section 44(1)(a) of the FoIA provides an absolute exemption to the requirement to disclose any information if its disclosure is prohibited by or under any enactment. In this case, section 82 of the PA04 prohibits disclosure and we are unable to disclose the requested information. This exemption is absolute and does not require a public interest assessment be undertaken.
Part 2
There are no public service schemes that have wound up, or that are in the process of winding up. As statutory schemes, public service schemes cannot voluntarily choose to wind-up. There are some historical examples of public service schemes which have merged. We do not hold data on any future plans for public service scheme mergers.
Part 3
In relation to the final part of your request, this information is not held. This is because public sector schemes cannot be truly insolvent as they are Government backed.