Pension regulator resumes spot checks

The Pensions Regulator (TPR) has announced a resumption of spot check inspections targeting employers it suspects of failing to meet their workplace pensions obligations.

While TPR had continued to conduct urgent ad-hoc inspections on employers suspected of serious breaches, routine compliance drives had previously been paused due to COVID-19 social distancing restrictions. The return to larger scale in-person inspections will be carried out across a number of UK regions and cities over the coming months including Greater Manchester, Nottingham, Greater London and Belfast.

Most employers being visited have failed to make the correct pensions contributions for their staff. As well as detecting and confirming non-compliance, the inspections allow TPR staff to work on site with those employers found to be non-compliant in order to help get them back on track.

Joe Turner, TPR’s Head of Compliance and Enforcement, said, “Despite the challenges of the past two years, the majority of employers have continued to meet their responsibilities, including paying contributions in full on time and recognising that automatic enrolment is business as usual. But where we are aware that an employer is failing to do the right thing, we will take action to protect savers, including on-site inspections.”