Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions he has had with the Pensions Regulator on the decision to bring forward payments into the Pension Protection Fund due to collapse of Carillion; and what assessment he has made of the effect of that decision on capital investment.

All DB pension schemes are required to pay Pension Protection Fund (PPF) risked based levy. The PPF levy is the only payment that schemes are required to make to the PPF prior to insolvency. After an employer insolvency event, the pension scheme will enter a PPF assessment period, where the PPF will determine whether the scheme has sufficient funds to pay benefits at PPF compensation levels or above. Schemes that do not meet this test will transfer into the PPF (including any assets) and scheme members will receive PPF compensation.

The Government sets the legislative framework for pension schemes - this is overseen by the independent Pensions Regulator, and it would not be appropriate for Government to intervene.

There have been no discussions between the DWP Ministers and the Pensions Regulator regarding payments made by Carillion into the PPF.