Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions she has had with the the Scottish Government on protecting workers pensions after Crummock went into receivership.

The UK has a well-established, effective and robust pensions rescue system. The Pension Protection Fund (PPF) was set up to pay compensation to members of defined benefit schemes where the sponsoring employer is insolvent. The PPF ensures that people above their scheme pension age receive 100 per cent of their pension, and those below their scheme’s normal pension age get 90 per cent of the accrued pension, subject to an overall cap.

The Scottish Government has not approached the DWP on matters concerning the protection of workers’ pensions after Crummock went into receivership.

The Independent Pensions Regulator that oversees pension schemes and operates within the legislative framework put in place by the Government, has wide ranging powers to take action where they have concerns.