Richard Harrington takes on a leading job in pension policy

SallyG

FYI
FT :
"On Monday, the government announced that Richard Harrington, the MP for Watford, would take over from Baroness Altmann, who was dismissed last week by prime minister Theresa May.

However, Mr Harrington was not appointed minister of state for pensions, as had been the case with his predecessor, but to the more junior role of under secretary of state.

Mr Harrington, who became an MP in 2010, takes on a leading job in pension policy having had one previous role in government. In 2015 he was appointed minister for Syrian refugees.

“This is a shocking decision,” Steve Webb, who was minister of state for Pensions from 2010-2015 and the longest-serving official in the role, said.

“I have nothing against Richard Harrington but an under secretary of state is junior to a minister of state so it is a demotion for pensions.

“The idea that the single largest area of government spending that affects everyone in the country becomes peripheral is simply astounding.” "

xylophone

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/comment/article-3698317/DAN-HYDE-Meet-Mr-Theresa-charge-retirement.html

I know a quiet little man
I paid him no attention
And now I find it's up to him
When I get paid my pension.

The triple lock is on the block
Who'll wield the axe but he?
But when we plead
"Who did the deed?"
It's Mr Nobody.

Apologies to Walter de la Mare.:D

PensionTech

I know a quiet little man
I paid him no attention
And now I find it's up to him
When I get paid my pension.

The triple lock is on the block
Who'll wield the axe but he?
But when we plead
"Who did the deed?"
It's Mr Nobody.

:T:T:T:T:T

Someone buy that man (or woman) a drink.

JezR

Having the previous Pensions Minister in the Lords was already a bit of a demotion.

kidmugsy

Maybe the PM feels that the big reform of the State Pension under Mr Webb, and Osborne's pension liberation, are complete, and that there will be no further big moves in the foreseeable future. For everyone on this site who pleads for stability in pension policy this would be good news, surely?

But people really do seem to prefer getting their knickers in a twist.

SallyG

I thought Richard Graham was the govt's main man on pensions - or maybe Shailesh Vara?

Thrugelmir

Does it require a "Minister" at this juncture? Major pensions reforms already rolling out that need to bed in. Nor do we know what the new Chancellor may have in mind.

Andy_L

ISTR there's a limit on the number of ministers a government can have? If so then creating a minister for Brexit means somebody else has to be demoted

robin61

kidmugsy wrote: »

Maybe the PM feels that the big reform of the State Pension under Mr Webb, and Osborne's pension liberation, are complete, and that there will be no further big moves in the foreseeable future. For everyone on this site who pleads for stability in pension policy this would be good news, .

I do hope so. I am sick of dreading every budget hoping there is not another wheeze coming.