John Fox: An open letter to Esther McVey

Appoint an apolitical ‘pensions governor’

clock • 4 min read

A month into her new role as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Esther McVey's honeymoon period is well and truly over so John Fox thought she might appreciate a few words of advice - and one hope …

Dear Esther, A month into your new role as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the honeymoon period is well and truly over. Indeed, given your job is the modern-day ministerial equivalent of the Northern Ireland office - strewn with banana skins and entrenched opponents - I imagine any honeymoon ended on the day of your appointment. The pensions part of your brief is a uniquely delicate one. On one hand, there is a groaning inbox of issues that require action. Equally important is the need to defend from the Chancellor the system of tax breaks that underpins the private pensions...

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