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Pensions 'merry-go-round' will impair reform, warns expert
31 January 2008 12:00
The continuing rapid turnover of politicians responsible for pensions is impairing the government's ability to truly enhance the system, according to one commentator.
Last week, James Purnell replaced Peter Hain as secretary of state for work and pensions and immediately stated his intention to deepen pensions reform and ensure that everyone has the capacity to be self-reliant in old age.
Yet Steve Bee from Scottish Life pointed out that Mr Purnell's appointment to work alongside minister for pensions reform Mike O'Brien makes them the 13th different pairing at the helm of the pensions system in the space of just 11 years.
While he conceded that the retention of Mr O'Brien would bring some stability, Mr Bee predicted that there would be more changes before 2008 is out, adding that this situation is damaging the government's capacity to deliver effective pensions reform.
Mr Purnell is also the eighth different person to hold his current position since Labour came to power in 1997. It is his second spell at the Department for Work and Pensions, having served as minister for pensions between May 2006 and June 2007.
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