Pensions crisis: leaders call for long term solutions

NHS leaders have warned that the latest scheme to tackle doctors’ pension problems may not have much uptake and does not offer a workable solution for many of those facing unexpected tax bills.

The scheme is designed to allow doctors in England to pick up extra shifts this winter with the promise that the NHS will reimburse them for any additional tax they accrue as a result. Under the temporary scheme proposed by NHS England, hospital doctors and GPs who reach the annual allowance limit in 2019-20 will be able to choose a “scheme pay” option, meaning that they can pay their tax bill from their existing pension pot.

The NHS will …