The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has responded to a question posed by Baroness Hayman who queried when officials will hold a briefing for peers on their work on pension fund trustees and fiduciary duty. This was answered by Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the DWP, Viscount Younger of Leckie. He stated that the spring pension industry stakeholder roundtables will explore interpretations of fiduciary duty in relation to climate change and responsible investments. Following these the DWP will ensure a briefing session is held in which Parliament will have the opportunity to provide insight and discuss the conclusions drawn from these events.

The government has confirmed that it will publicly consult in 2026 on strengthening the pensions transfer process with enhanced protections, according to a Written Answer from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on 26 January 2026 (UIN 106396). The statement was made in response to a question on government steps being taken to tackle pension fraud. In the Written Answer the government says it is committed to protecting pension savers by strengthening safeguards against scams, building on existing powers for trustees to block risky transfers. It said that it is developing further measures, working with law enforcement,  the National Economic Crime Centre, and anti-scams industry groups to disrupt fraud and is set to consult publicly ‘in the coming months’ on enhanced protections for the pension transfer process.

As part of its efforts to modernise the UK’s sustainability reporting framework, the government has introduced three consultations intended to “unlock billions in clean energy investment”. In doing so, the government is consulting on how to implement its manifesto commitment to mandate UK-regulated financial institutions (including banks, asset managers, pension funds and insurers),  as well as FTSE 100 companies,  to develop and implement credible transition plans that align with the 1.5C goal of the Paris Agreement. The government sees transition planning as a vital part of its commitment to secure the UK’s position as the green finance capital of the world. Notably, one consultation from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, seeks views on how the government should implement this commitment by ensuring an orderly transition aligned with global climate goals, aiming to enhance transparency to facilitate efficient capital allocation, enabling companies to seize opportunities from the global net zero transition, and bolstering the growth and international competitiveness of the UK’s financial services industry.  In particular, the consultation from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero indicates that during 2025, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will conduct a review of the Occupational Pension Schemes (Climate Change, Governance and Reporting) Regulations 2021, SI 2021/839, utilising evidence provided by the Pensions Regulator (TPR). The DWP regards this review as a logical starting point to assess the effects of the current climate disclosure regime (put in place following the recommendations from the Taskforce on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)) and to consider future steps for climate change reporting. In parallel with the TCFD review, the DWP has tasked TPR with evaluating the feasibility of transition plans within pension schemes. Accordingly, TPR is organising an industry working group, including key stakeholders and major occupational pension schemes, and is set to deliver its findings to the DWP later in 2025.

The UK Parliament has confirmed in response to a written question that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has provided additional financial support for the Pensions Ombudsman to assist in reducing the amount of time taken to deal with cases. In addition to an increase of £750,000 in 2022/23 and £1,698,347 in 2023/24, the DWP has provided a further £1,050,000 for the 2024/25 period.

Law360: The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has said it is exploring proposals to allow companies to tap into the £1.4trn defined benefit (DB) pension sector, however trade bodies and consultants warned that the plan could undermine the security of savers.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has updated its guidance on bulk letter forwarding. This provides a tracing and pre-paid letter forwarding service for pensions and insurance companies and solicitors when forwarding beneficial information to customers. The DWP has updated the guidance to state that it is unable to forward letters, notably, in respect of matrimonial and divorce matters. The service also does not forward letters from Debt Collection Agencies and Commercial Tracing Agencies.

Law360: The Minister for Pensions, Paul Maynard, has stated that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is working on a solution to the problem of pension providers being held back from communicating with members because of privacy regulations.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced that the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error, and Recovery) Bill has completed its Third Reading in the Commons. The Bill introduces direct bank account recovery powers, financial institution data access rights and driving disqualification measures for benefit fraudsters. It extends the limitation period for Covid-related civil fraud claims to 12 years and grants new investigative powers to the Public Sector Fraud Authority. The legislation aims to save £1.5bn over five years and forms part of broader measures targeting £9.6bn in savings by 2030.

Pensions analysis: The Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) Taskforce on Social Factors (TSF) consulted on a draft guide ‘Considering Social Factors in Pension Scheme Investments: Guide from the Taskforce on Social Factors’ between 19 October 2023 and 1 December 2023. The draft guide contains over 30 recommendations on how the pensions sector can better incorporate social factors such as workforce conditions and consumer protection into investment decisions. Felix Weston, senior associate at Squire Patton Boggs, looks at the draft guide and its implications for pension scheme trustees and other key stakeholders.

As far as the parties being joint tenants is concerned each joint tenant has an identical interest in the whole land and the interest of one passes automatically on death to the survivor. For general information, see the section: Trustee attorneys in Practice Note: Ordinary powers of attorney, which says: If it is intended to delegate the trust powers and discretions, it can be done by a trustee power of attorney expressly made under section 25 of the Trustee Act 1925 (TA 1925). It is now possible for a trustee to appoint a co-trustee as attorney a trustee power of attorney. If the co-trustee is not appointed

MLex: One of the world’s most popular newspaper websites appears to have evaded enforcement over its cookie practices, in a case that sheds light on the UK data regulator’s approach to cookie enforcement. Data protection expert, Jon Baines, complained in a private capacity about the Daily Mail's website not having a ‘reject all’ cookies button. But the ICO has told him it won't investigate, saying its approach is to focus on sites that are doing nothing to raise awareness of cookies.

Institute at the University of Manchester established in 2005 as a leading centre for nuclear research and education.