Pensions Minister Guy Opperman was one of few to maintain his role in Theresa May’s reshuffle yesterday 9 January 2018.
While there had been considerable speculation as to whether Opperman’s seven-month long tenure would come to an end, the Prime Minister paused the revolving door on this particular role.
With continued developments in the pensions space, there is now increasing pressure for Opperman to act on his promises. Speaking at the PLSA Annual Conference at the end of last year, the Pensions Minister discussed his plans to legislate to achieve protection for members of master trusts, improve transparency of costs and charges and to provide an update on the Pensions Dashboard this Spring, among other plans.
In December, Opperman also rejected calls from WASPI campaigners for compensation once again, saying it would create more inequality between men and women.
Moreover, while Opperman remains in the pensions role, other roles in the Department for Work and Pensions underwent some changes in the reshuffle. Alok Sharma joined as Minister of State for Employment, replacing Damian Hinds who held the role from July 2016 to January 2018. Kit Malthouse succeeded Caroline Dinenage as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State. Dinenage served a short tenure at the DWP from June 2017 to January 2018.
Leading the department, former Treasurer of HM Household, Deputy Chief Whip Esther McVey replaced David Gauke as the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, as part of the Conservative Party cabinet reshuffle on 8 January 2018.
