§ Mr. KidneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations he has had with ministerial colleagues in the Department of Social Security regarding the administrative costs stakeholder pensions to small business with more than five employees. [111807]
§ Ms HewittOfficial from the DTI were involved in the consultation on stakeholder pensions and continue to be involved in the communications working group. In addition, a consultative panel which included employer representatives, was formed to discuss all issues relating to the scheme, including compliance costs. Concerns over burdens on business contributed to the decision to introduce an exemption for small business with less than five employees. However, we are aware that there will be administrative responsibilities for those businesses with five employees or more, and officials form the newly formed Small Business Service (SBS) are in discussion464W with their DSS counterparts to consider what can be done to minimise the requirements of the administrative process.