This provision is already available through the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and we think that the Government should offer the same to these important key workers.

Many teachers and NHS workers caught Covid whilst at work. Many suffer from debilitating and ongoing symptoms of Long Covid, for which little treatment is available. Through no fault of their own, due to their illness and symptoms, they have had to give up work. We believe that the current provisions for ill health retirement do not reflect the uncertain prognosis for these key workers. The option of claiming ill health retirement for 3 years, in line with the LGPS, could help families who are struggling financially.