The Pension Schemes Act 2021 finally received Royal Assent on 11 February 2021. The Act contains some significant new funding requirements for defined benefit (DB) occupational pension schemes which mean that trustees and sponsors will soon be required to set a legally binding long-term objective for their scheme. In future, this objective will drive the … Read more

The Pension Schemes Act 2021, which will introduce new pension criminal offences, £1m regulatory fines and new requirements relating to funding and climate-related risks, received Royal Assent on 11 February 2021 but most of its provisions do not come into force imediately. Most of these measures are likely to come into force during the next … Read more

The Pension Schemes Act 2021 finally received Royal Assent yesterday, paving the way for the most significant reform of the regulatory regime for defined benefit (DB) pension schemes since its introduction in 2006. The Act introduces new criminal offences and new regulatory powers for the Pensions Regulator that could: significantly impact corporate activity, including M&A … Read more

The DWP has confirmed its plans to introduce new requirements relating to the management and disclosure of climate-related risks for the largest UK pension schemes. The proposed plans were broadly supported by the industry. However, the DWP made some changes in light of the consultation responses it received. Most notably, adjusting the deadline for schemes … Read more

In November 2020, the government announced an ambitious ten-point plan to boost green jobs and reach net-zero. The plan was a recent recognition at a national-level of the pressing need to combat climate change. It addresses an expansive set of topics: from offshore wind to walking and cycling; from carbon capture to finance. The proposals suggest regulatory … Read more

2020 was undoubtedly an unprecedented year, dominated of course by the impact of Covid-19 and here in the UK, by the preparations for Brexit. The year may (finally) be over, however, these themes are likely to continue to dominate the agenda in 2021. Nevertheless, with vaccines being rolled out and a Brexit deal agreed, there … Read more

Here is a round up of the recent changes concerning the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and rules relating to the third lockdown. Employers claiming for furloughed employees under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) need to keep a close eye on deadlines. Monthly deadlines for claims must be now met unless an employer has a ‘reasonable … Read more