Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions he has had with (a) Cabinet colleagues and (b) stakeholders on reforming pension tax relief.

Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. Details of ministerial and permanent secretary meetings with external organisations on departmental business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-travel

At Summer Budget 2015 the Government conducted a consultation on whether there was a case for reforming pensions tax relief to strengthen incentives to save, and offer savers greater simplicity and transparency, or whether it would be best to keep with the current system. Responses to the consultation indicated that there was no clear consensus for reform at that time, and so at Budget 2016 the Government announced that it would not be making fundamental reform to the pensions tax system.

As ever, the Government keeps all aspects of the tax system under review, as part of the annual Budget process, and in the context of the wider public finances.