Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the proportion of UK pension funds invested in UK companies, and what steps they are taking to increase such investment.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government has noted the trend observed in external analysis and commentary of relative decreased investment from pension funds in UK companies.

That is why the Chancellor has announced a landmark pensions review as a part of the Government’s mission to boost economic growth and investment in the UK. Under plans unveiled by the new Chancellor, billions of pounds of investment could be unlocked in the UK economy from defined contribution schemes alone. Defined contribution schemes will be managing around £800 billion in assets by the end of the decade and the Review will explore ways to increase their investment into UK productive assets. The Review will also look at how to unlock the investment potential of the £360 billion within the Local Government Pension Scheme, which manages the savings of those working to deliver our vital local services, as well as how to tackle the £2 billion that is being spent on fees.