Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of protections for the holders of defined benefit pensions.

Defined benefit pensions are protected by a robust regulatory framework. They are established as trusts and the trustees have a fiduciary duty to act in the interests of scheme beneficiaries. Schemes must provide regular valuations and report their long-term funding, investment and risk management plans to the Pensions Regulator, who has a range of powers to intervene if needed. The Pension Protection Fund can provide compensation if employers become insolvent.