Pensions - Articles - TUC says NEST restrictions 'should go'

 Responding to the government's call for evidence on whether to lift restrictions imposed on NEST, the low cost pensions scheme established by government in advance of pensions auto-enrolment, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

 'This call for evidence is welcome.

 'Restrictions on NEST harm consumers who cannot take full advantage of this low cost, well governed scheme.

 'They are a burden on employers who often cannot use NEST as a single scheme for all their staff.

 'NEST's public service obligation that compels them to take on any employer, even those the industry would not touch with a bargepole without high charges, is sufficient justification for the very modest state aid in NEST's loan arrangements.'