Menu
07/09/2004
Pensions Secretary quits government
The Work and Pensions Secretary Andrew Smith has resigned from the Cabinet, saying he quit in order to commit more time to his constituency and spend more time with his family.
Last night, the Prime Minister described Mr Smith as “an excellent colleague and a first-class minister who will be greatly missed'' following his decision to leave the government. Tony Blair had urged the minister to stay on but the decision was final.
The Labour MP for Oxford East had said that he wanted to leave his post “to devote more time to the responsibilities I enjoy in my constituency and to my family''.
In his resignation letter to Tony Blair, Mr Smith wrote: “Over the summer, I have discussed with my family the contribution I wish to make in public life.
“I have chosen to leave the government and to devote more time to the responsibilities I enjoy in my constituency and to my family.''
The Lib Dem Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, Steve Webb, said that the former minister's tenure could not be fondly remembered.
"Andrew Smith’s period in office will be remembered as one when the crises in company pensions grew unchecked, where mass means testing was the order of the day and the pensions system became more complicated than ever," he said.
He said that Mr Smith's successor needed to reverse the drive towards means testing, restore confidence in company pensions and radically simplify the whole pensions system.
(gmcg/mb)
Last night, the Prime Minister described Mr Smith as “an excellent colleague and a first-class minister who will be greatly missed'' following his decision to leave the government. Tony Blair had urged the minister to stay on but the decision was final.
The Labour MP for Oxford East had said that he wanted to leave his post “to devote more time to the responsibilities I enjoy in my constituency and to my family''.
In his resignation letter to Tony Blair, Mr Smith wrote: “Over the summer, I have discussed with my family the contribution I wish to make in public life.
“I have chosen to leave the government and to devote more time to the responsibilities I enjoy in my constituency and to my family.''
The Lib Dem Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, Steve Webb, said that the former minister's tenure could not be fondly remembered.
"Andrew Smith’s period in office will be remembered as one when the crises in company pensions grew unchecked, where mass means testing was the order of the day and the pensions system became more complicated than ever," he said.
He said that Mr Smith's successor needed to reverse the drive towards means testing, restore confidence in company pensions and radically simplify the whole pensions system.
(gmcg/mb)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
20 June 2005
Pensions coalition calls for ‘fair deal’
A new coalition is calling on the new government to deliver a new ‘fair deal’ on pensions. Four organisations – the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Age Concern, Help the Aged and consumer watchdog Which? – have joined together to form the People’s Pensions Coalition to campaign for fair pensions reform.
Pensions coalition calls for ‘fair deal’
A new coalition is calling on the new government to deliver a new ‘fair deal’ on pensions. Four organisations – the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Age Concern, Help the Aged and consumer watchdog Which? – have joined together to form the People’s Pensions Coalition to campaign for fair pensions reform.
24 January 2008
Hain Resigns From Cabinet
Peter Hain has resigned from the Cabinet after the Electoral Commission asked the police to investigate the funding of his deputy leadership campaign. Mr Hain, who was Work and Pensions Secretary and Welsh Secretary, announced that he would resign on Thursday, saying that he wanted to clear his name.
Hain Resigns From Cabinet
Peter Hain has resigned from the Cabinet after the Electoral Commission asked the police to investigate the funding of his deputy leadership campaign. Mr Hain, who was Work and Pensions Secretary and Welsh Secretary, announced that he would resign on Thursday, saying that he wanted to clear his name.
01 July 2011
Britain Urged To Employ British
Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith has urged UK companies to reach out to unemployed young Britons. Speaking to the Spanish Foundation for Analysis and Social Studies in Madrid, he encouraged British businesses to "give a chance" to Britons, rather than depending on foreign workers.
Britain Urged To Employ British
Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith has urged UK companies to reach out to unemployed young Britons. Speaking to the Spanish Foundation for Analysis and Social Studies in Madrid, he encouraged British businesses to "give a chance" to Britons, rather than depending on foreign workers.
30 October 2013
Govt Considering Cap On Pension Fees
The government is considering implementing a cap on the management fees charged by pension providers. A cap of between 0.75% and 1% is being considered. It is thought that such a move could save people tens of thousands of pounds. According to reports some older pension schemes have been found to have management fees of up to 2/3% a year.
Govt Considering Cap On Pension Fees
The government is considering implementing a cap on the management fees charged by pension providers. A cap of between 0.75% and 1% is being considered. It is thought that such a move could save people tens of thousands of pounds. According to reports some older pension schemes have been found to have management fees of up to 2/3% a year.
02 November 2005
Blunkett concedes 'mistakes' and resigns
David Blunkett has resigned from the Cabinet, admitting "I have made mistakes”. The Work and Pensions Secretary said that he was stepping down from the Cabinet in order to “protect the government”. Earlier today at Prime Minister’s Question Time, Tony Blair said that he had “reluctantly accepted” Mr Blunkett’s resignation.
Blunkett concedes 'mistakes' and resigns
David Blunkett has resigned from the Cabinet, admitting "I have made mistakes”. The Work and Pensions Secretary said that he was stepping down from the Cabinet in order to “protect the government”. Earlier today at Prime Minister’s Question Time, Tony Blair said that he had “reluctantly accepted” Mr Blunkett’s resignation.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
