What has the DWP got against advice?

clock • 3 min read

That's three occasions now when the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has played down the need for advice. What is going on?

Alongside protection, pensions represent the cornerstone of financial planning. Everyone, except perhaps the mega-rich or someone with an extremely benevolent employer, would benefit from having one. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recognises this. But why, if it knows pensions are so important, does it regularly marginalise something essential to the proliferation of good pension outcomes: independent advice? Pensions minister Steve Webb has worked tirelessly to implement the only policy so far that addresses consumer inertia around pensions: auto-enrolment. Along with ...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Pensions

'Significant gap' found in HMRC's SIPP data

'Significant gap' found in HMRC's SIPP data

No data identifying SIPPs or junior SIPPs as distinct categories, Aberdeen Adviser FOI finds

Isabel Baxter
clock 01 July 2026 • 2 min read
Strong chance 'nightmare' IHT pension reforms will 'simply not work'

Strong chance 'nightmare' IHT pension reforms will 'simply not work'

Baroness Ros Altmann says the policy is ‘fraught with dangers’

Holly Roach
clock 30 June 2026 • 1 min read
Politicians urged to address long-term sustainability of state pension triple lock

Politicians urged to address long-term sustainability of state pension triple lock

Aegon says triple lock debate is ‘not a simple case of keep it or scrap it’

Holly Roach
clock 23 June 2026 • 3 min read