Pensions minister Richard Harrington is moving to a new position in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy as part of the post-election cabinet reshuffle.

Harrington spent just 11 months in role after replacing Ros Altman last summer

Guy Opperman has been appointed as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), and is likely to become the second minister responsible for pension's policy in less than a year.

Twelve different officials have now held the pensions minister role since 2000.

The news will add to concerns about change, despite calls for a period of stability across the pensions sector.

Malcolm McLean, senior consultant at Barnett Waddingham, said: "It is concerning to learn that Richard Harrington, who has been in post for just under a year, is already moving on - ever since the post of Pensions Minister was established, we have seen constant change - up to the appointment of Steve Webb, who remained minister for a full five-year term."

McLean went of the stress the importance of pensions and called for Harrington's previous role to be upgraded to that of full Pensions Minister.

David Brooks, technical director at Broadstone described the continual change as the "revolving door of pensions and politics."

He said the large number of consultations and reviews will determine the priorities of anyone coming into the role.

They include the fate of the state pension triple lock - which the Conservatives have said they will scrap in 2020 - a decision on when the state pension age will rise to 68, the future of tax relief on retirement savings, and the Brexit fallout for elderly expats.

It has also been announced that David Gauke, a relatively unknown MP, will replace Damian Green as the new Work and Pensions Secretary.

First published 15.06.2017

Lindsay.sharman@wilmingtonplc.com