Committee publication · Correspondence · 4 September 2025
Letter from the Senior National Officer at Public Commercial Services Union relating to the follow up on the oral evidence session held on 07 July 2025 on Civil Service Pensions, 29 July 2025
From: Public Accounts Committee
Inquiry: Civil service pensions
Summary
PCS Union challenges oral evidence given by MyCSP's CEO Duncan Watson to the PAC on 7 July 2025, claiming his assertion that union recognition would prejudice Capita's position is factually incorrect. PCS produces written evidence from Capita confirming willingness to recognize the union from day one of the contract transfer, and details performance failures at MyCSP linked to non-recognition, including delays in voluntary exit scheme quotes and potential misclassification of staff under TUPE.
Key findings
- Capita has formally written to PCS on two occasions confirming willingness to recognize PCS from the contract transfer date, directly contradicting Duncan Watson's claimed concern about Capita's position
- MyCSP's Board has refused simple recognition arrangements proposed by PCS for the period before contract end, despite acknowledging performance issues
- MyCSP delivered only 41 of 269 voluntary exit scheme quotes by deadline, with 228 outstanding, citing internal strikes; PCS links delays to refusal to recognize the union
- Some MyCSP staff have been told they are outside TUPE scope and engaged in work for parent company Equiniti rather than civil service pensions, creating uncertainty about their future employment protections
- PCS claims the outsourcing model for civil service pensions administration has failed and calls for the function to be brought back under direct Cabinet Office control
Tone
AdversarialTopics
Key actors
Darren Williams, Duncan Watson, Chris Kane MP, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, Capita, MyCSP, Equiniti, Cabinet Office
Notable line
“… if the primary claim by MyCSP/Equiniti for refusing to recognise PCS, is that such recognition would – possibly against Capita's wishes - be ported over to Capita on the commencement of the contract …”
Key Quotes
“If I recognise the union now, there will then be an assumption that the union will be recognised by Capita. I need to make sure that Capita is comfortable”
“Capita confirms its willingness to commence discussions regarding the formal recognition of PCS at the earliest appropriate opportunity in relation to those PCS members employed within the CSPS contract, with the intention of having such agreement take effect from the date these colleagues transfer to Capita”
“If the non-recognition is likely to cause problems with performance going forward, it is an issue that needs addressing”
“"I entirely accept that. From a value for money perspective, if non- recognition has a direct impact on performance …”
“… it is apparent then, that the response given to Chris Kane's question by Duncan Watson – that it is concern for Capita's position that is preventing MyCSP/Equiniti recognising PCS – holds no water whatsoever …”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗