The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has welcomed the publication of the results of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Personal Accounts Delivery Authority's (PADA) consultation on the draft scheme order and rules for the Personal Accounts scheme, set for implementation from 2012.

The joint public consultation on the scheme, Pensions - Consultation on the draft scheme order and rules, outlines stakeholders' views to the consultation questions and details the Government's and PADA's response to them.

Thirty-six written responses were received by the DWP and PADA from the pensions industry, employers and organisations representing employers' interests, as well as from PADA's advisory committees. Overall, the broad response was of support for the policy approach, and no substantial policy changes have been recommended as a result of the consultation. However, a minor redrafting of amendments to make the policy intent clearer and to clarify meaning will be proposed by the DWP and PADA.

"I am pleased those who responded to the consultation supported the framework for the Personal Accounts scheme," commented Angela Eagle MP, Minister of State for Pensions and the Ageing Society. "The introduction of Personal Accounts is central to pension reform. It will help us achieve our aim of ensuring millions of workers have access to low-cost workplace pension saving, most of whom will be low and moderate earners and many will be saving for the first time."

Tim Jones, chief executive of PADA, added: "We are grateful for the high levels of engagement with this consultation and the constructive comments received. Finalising the order and rules for the scheme is an important landmark in establishing a pension scheme that will ensure millions more people have access to workplace saving. We believe the order and rules will provide a robust framework for the trustees and enable the corporation to do an excellent job for low-to-moderate earners."

Meanwhile, TUC general secretary, Brendan Barber, said the consultation responses are another milestone on the way to the new pensions settlement, and are good news for both employers and employees.

"You cannot make employers enrol their staff into a pension unless you provide a low-cost default option for those employers that do not want to actively choose another pension.

"The millions of low to average earners that are not saving in a pension today need a low-charging scheme with a sensible default option specifically designed to meet their needs.

"Agreeing the Personal Account scheme order and rules is another important part of building a new durable pensions settlement."

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