The Work and Pensions Committee (WPC) has announced plans to question pension industry leaders and finance think tanks on pension funds’ UK investments and how to boost them.

Announcing plans for the session, the WPC noted that the government has made releasing funds in pension funds and insurance firms part of its policy to boost investment in the UK in a bid to drive economic growth.

It also pointed out that introduction of the Pensions Scheme Bill, which isdue before the summer, is expected to include measures that would help achieve this.

However, recent months have seen growing speculation that the government may be threatening to mandate in law levels of investment by pension schemes in the UK if they do not do so voluntarily.

Experts appearing in front of the committee include Financial Innovation Lab CEO, Jesse Griffiths, independent pensions researcher, Jackie Wells, New Financial managing director, William Wright.

The second panel will include Association of Professional Pension Trustees trustee director, Rachel Croft, Pensions Policy INstitute (PPI) director, Chris Curry, Association of British Insurers director of policy, long-term savings, health & protection, Yvonne Braun, and Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) deputy director, Joe Dabrowski.

The WPC also recently shared the government's response to its defined benefit (DB) pensions report, which revealed plans to consult on on measures to improve scheme governance later this year, as well as further updates on work to address the growing concerns surrounding pre-1997 indexation.

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